End the War, Choose Peace”: Modi’s Message to Putin From Bishkek

New Delhi, August 31, 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday brought India’s appeal for peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict into sharp focus. With the war having continued for more than four years, Modi stressed the urgency of moving beyond prolonged conflict and towards an early peaceful settlement. “We must move away from endless war towards an end to the war. This is essential for the well-being of humanity. A peaceful resolution to all issues at the earliest is the call of humanity, and this is India’s message,” Modi said during the meeting. Linking India’s peace message with its philosophical heritage, Modi added that “the land of Gandhi and the land of Buddha share a single message: the path of peace." He reiterated that India supports all efforts aimed at achieving peace. “Every day spent in war sets humanity back, whereas every step taken towards peace fills humanity with new hope and enthusiasm,” Modi said. The Bishkek meeting marked the first meeting between Modi and Putin this year. Their previous meeting was held in December 2025, when Putin travelled to India for a two-day state visit for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit. Before their bilateral discussions began in Bishkek, Modi and Putin shared a warm hug. The interaction once again highlighted India’s approach to the prolonged conflict: continued war comes at a heavy cost to humanity, while every genuine move towards peace offers the possibility of renewed hope. Modi’s message to Putin therefore placed an early and peaceful resolution at the centre of India’s diplomatic outreach.