Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday during the 26th [1] Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
The meeting occurs as India and Russia seek to maintain a strategic partnership while navigating global conflicts and the push for a multipolar world order.
The leaders gathered in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the bilateral talks on the sidelines of the two-day [2] event. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in the Global South and reinforcing mutual trade ties. An unnamed Kremlin aide said the meeting would focus on strengthening their strategic partnership and cooperation in the Global South [3].
During the encounter, Modi addressed the necessity of global stability. "We must transition from endless wars to an end of war," Modi said [4]. This statement aligns with the broader goals of the summit, which organizers said aims to promote a vision of a multipolar world [5].
The 26th [1] edition of the summit serves as a primary venue for member states to coordinate on security and economic integration. The bilateral meeting between the Indian and Russian leaders highlights India's ongoing diplomatic balancing act—maintaining ties with Moscow while engaging with other global powers.
Organizers said that the summit's overarching objective is to foster mutual trade ties and a more diverse distribution of global power [5]. The talks in Bishkek emphasize the continued relevance of the SCO as a forum for Eurasian diplomacy.
“"We must transition from endless wars to an end of war."”
This meeting signals India's commitment to a non-aligned foreign policy, maintaining a critical strategic relationship with Russia despite international pressure. By calling for an end to 'endless wars,' Modi positions India as a potential mediator or voice of reason in global conflicts, while the focus on the Global South suggests a shared interest with Russia in challenging Western-centric global governance.
