PM Modi tells Putin India backs every effort to end war in Ukraine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 31, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (August 31, 2026) held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin focusing on various key aspects of bilateral ties, including cooperation in areas of trade and investment, energy and defence.PM Modi said that India backed every peace effort to end the war in Ukraine, the Interfax news agency reported.The meeting took place on the margins of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in this capital city of Kyrgyzstan.“Every day of war sets humanity back, and we must work toward ending hostilities,” PM Modi added.The talks came over a week before Putin travels to India to attend the annual BRICS summit.Ahead of the meeting, officials said the talks cover traditional areas of India-Russia engagement, including defence, energy, trade and investment.(With Reuters and PTI inputs) Published - August 31, 2026 07:33 pm IST