Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek on Monday, with the conflict in Ukraine and the broader India-Russia relationship figuring prominently in their discussions. During the meeting, Modi called for an end to hostilities in Ukraine, reiterating India’s long-standing position in favour of resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. The bilateral engagement came at a crucial moment in global geopolitics, with India continuing to maintain close ties with Moscow while advocating a negotiated resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
Bilateral ties in focus
The two leaders were expected to review the entire spectrum of India-Russia relations, including trade, energy, defence and strategic cooperation. Ahead of the meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs had said the two sides would take stock of bilateral relations following the recent meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission in Moscow.
The Modi-Putin meeting also came days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met the Russian President at the Kremlin during his visit to Moscow and conveyed Modi’s greetings. India and Russia have maintained their strategic partnership despite major geopolitical shifts following the Ukraine conflict. New Delhi has consistently defended its independent foreign policy while maintaining that diplomacy remains the only sustainable path towards ending the war. Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier in the day before his talks with Modi.
Busy diplomatic schedule
The meeting with Putin was among several high-level engagements undertaken by Modi during his visit to Bishkek for the 26th SCO Summit. Earlier on Monday, Modi held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, their first meeting in two years. The two leaders discussed bilateral ties as well as the escalating situation in West Asia.
Modi expressed concern over regional tensions and reiterated that disputes must be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy. He also stressed the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and commerce and said civilians, commercial shipping and seafarers should not be harmed. The Prime Minister also met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, with the two sides discussing cooperation in defence, trade, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, culture and education, besides exchanging views on regional and global developments.
Modi separately held a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov during his visit. The SCO summit brings together leaders from its 10 member countries, including India, Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus. The gathering is being closely watched amid continuing geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and West Asia and growing debate over the future of the international order.