Putin-Modi meet in Bishkek: Call for peace, pledge to strengthen bilateral cooperation

International Desk

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Monday (August 31) on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The meeting discussed a number of important issues, including the Ukraine war, bilateral trade, defense and energy cooperation.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi called for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war and told Putin, “Every day spent in war sets humanity back, and every step taken towards peace gives humanity new hope. We must move away from protracted wars and end them.” He also said that India will continue to support all efforts to establish peace. Highlighting India’s message of peace as the country of Buddha and Gandhi, Modi said that countries should not be tied to protracted conflicts but work together to address the challenges facing humanity.

In response, Putin, while respecting Modi’s position, said that Russia is moving towards peace, but Moscow will maintain some of its own conditions for ending the war. He praised the organization’s role in expanding contacts with the Global South and the East through the SCO, and in regional socio-economic and cultural development.

Progress in economic and cultural relations

Putin said that trade turnover between the two countries increased by 2.6 percent in the first half of 2026, continuing the positive trend of the previous year. He noted that India is one of the top source countries for foreign students studying in Russia – this number has increased sevenfold in recent years, reaching almost 40,000. In addition, tourism flows between the two countries have increased by 16 percent, and cultural festivals are being organized regularly – it was reported that India will host the next one in 2027.

The two leaders reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation in various areas, including defense, energy, space, transport and people-to-people contacts, and reaffirmed the resilience of the existing “special and privileged strategic partnership” between the two countries. Putin also highlighted the close coordination between New Delhi and Moscow in various international forums, including the UN, BRICS, G-20 and SCO.

The two leaders also welcomed the outcome of the 27th meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Trade, Economic and Cultural Commission held in Moscow on August 24. They also discussed multilateral cooperation under India’s BRICS chairmanship in 2026.

Possibility of meeting again at the upcoming BRICS summit

Prime Minister Modi said he looked forward to welcoming Putin to the 18th BRICS Summit to be held in New Delhi from September 12-13. The two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and advance cooperation in multilateral forums.

After the meeting, Modi and Putin traveled in the same car to the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games at the Bishkek Arena—a testament to the warmth of the two leaders’ relationship and their shared commitment to deepening India-Russia ties. Held against the backdrop of the Ukraine-Russia war and the volatile situation in West Asia, the two leaders also expressed concern about the impact of these conflicts on global trade, energy markets and maritime security, and reaffirmed their resolve to expand cooperation in the defense, energy and technology sectors.