Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a bilateral meeting during the 26th [1] SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The meeting signals India's continued effort to maintain a strategic partnership with Russia while navigating complex global pressures and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The leaders met Sept. 1, 2025 [2], to discuss a range of bilateral ties. The agenda focused on deepening cooperation in defense, trade, and infrastructure development. Both leaders aimed to coordinate their positions on global challenges to strengthen the existing bond between the two nations [3].
Ukraine war resolution was a primary topic of discussion during the talks. The two leaders explored potential paths toward ending the conflict, reflecting India's role as a potential mediator in the dispute [4].
The bilateral talks occurred on the sidelines of the larger 26th [1] summit. This gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation serves as a platform for member states to address security and economic integration in Eurasia.
Trade and defense remain the cornerstones of the India-Russia relationship. The discussions in Bishkek were intended to ensure that these sectors remain resilient despite international sanctions and shifting geopolitical alliances [3], [4].
“India and Russia discuss trade, defense, and the Ukraine war resolution.”
This meeting underscores India's policy of strategic autonomy, as it maintains high-level diplomatic and defense ties with Russia despite Western pressure. By discussing the Ukraine war resolution and trade infrastructure, New Delhi seeks to balance its growing partnership with the U.S. against its historical and military dependencies on Moscow.
