Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 31. The bilateral meeting focused on the India‑Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and on a range of global developments.
Modi said the partnership had made significant progress in recent years and highlighted energy, innovation, space, fertilisers and people‑to‑people links as priority areas. He noted that cooperation across these sectors had deepened and expressed optimism about future growth.
Both leaders addressed the need to end prolonged conflicts. Modi warned that each day of war sets humanity back, while steps toward peace generate hope. Referring to the war in Ukraine, he reiterated India’s consistent dialogue with Russia and its support for any peace initiative, urging an early, peaceful settlement.
Modi invited Putin to attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi in September, saying the visit would further strengthen bilateral ties. Putin thanked Modi for his personal attention to the relationship. After their talks, the two leaders travelled together to the opening ceremony of the VI World Nomad Games in Bishkek.
