PM Modi Meets Putin at SCO Summit, Calls for Shift From ‘Endless War’ to Peace

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation across several areas, including defence, energy, innovation, space, fertilisers and people-to-people ties, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

Prime Minister @narendramodi met President Vladimir Putin on the margins of the 26th SCO Summit.

The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation and the progress in a range of fields, including economic, defence, energy, space, mobility and people-to-people ties.

The leaders… pic.twitter.com/RfjKsdLMb5
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 31, 2026

The two leaders also exchanged views on important regional and global developments of mutual interest, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, which have disrupted maritime trade and raised concerns over the safety and security of Indian seafarers.

The Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022, continues alongside the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the best path towards resolving such conflicts. He also said he looks forward to hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin in India for the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12-13, 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the focus should shift from prolonged conflict towards finding a lasting end to the war. He also formally invited Putin to attend the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi, saying India was looking forward to welcoming him in September. He said the visit would further strengthen the close ties between India and Russia.

PM Modi said there is a need to move “from an endless war towards an end to the war. As you know, India supports all efforts towards peace and will continue to do so. Every day spent in war pushes humanity backwards, while every step taken towards peace fills humanity with a new hope and enthusiasm. We must move from an endless war towards an end to the war. This is essential for the well-being of humanity,” PM Modi said in his opening remarks at the meeting.

“The land of Gandhi and the land of Buddha has one message: to follow the path of peace. I look forward to discussing these matters with you today,” he added.

Responding to the Prime Minister’s remarks, President Putin said “I am very pleased to meet with you again. Our meeting is taking place ahead of a SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) summit. This organisation is working to extend and strengthen contacts between the countries of the global South and East, to promote the region’s socio-economic and cultural development and to facilitate the formation of a fair and multipolar world,” Putin said as per the translation by Russian state media TASS.

“The leaders exchanged views on India-Russia engagement in the multilateral arena, in particular in BRICS under India’s Chairship for 2026. They also shared perspectives on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region which have impacted maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers,” PMO press release said.

The two leaders agreed to remain engaged to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries, which continues to register significant growth and has shown resilience in the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties, the release said.

The last India-Russia Summit was held in New Delhi during President Vladimir Putin’s December 4-5, 2025 visit. The two sides adopted a joint statement and signed 16 MoUs and agreements covering key areas including fertilisers, healthcare, maritime cooperation, commerce and education.

So far, 23 Annual Summits have taken place alternately in India and Russia.

Later this year, President Putin is scheduled to travel to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit in September.

The 26th SCO Summit will convene leaders of member states to discuss key regional and global developments, along with measures to deepen cooperation within the grouping. Prime Minister Modi’s participation is expected to bolster India’s engagement with the SCO and its Central Asian partners as the organisation marks 25 years since its establishment.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, while Iran joined in 2023 and Belarus followed in 2024. Turkmenistan remains the only Central Asian country that is not part of the SCO. Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status, while Turkey, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia are among the organisation’s dialogue partners.