Putin Says PM Modi Presses For Ukraine Peace Despite Strong India-Russia Strategic Partnership

Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for repeatedly raising the need to end the Ukraine conflict, saying the Indian leader has “very good ideas” for finding a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution. Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club on Thursday, Putin said Modi continued to press for an end to the war despite the close and friendly relationship between India and Russia. Putin said Modi had shown a strong interest in finding a resolution acceptable to the parties involved and thanked the Indian prime minister for his efforts to promote a peaceful settlement.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of those world leaders who, despite our very good and even friendly relations, personal good relations, constantly raises the question and asks the question about putting an end to the conflict in Ukraine,” Putin said. He added that Modi had an “avid interest” in finding mutually acceptable solutions and described the Indian position as neutral while remaining interested in bringing the conflict to an end. Putin also said it was his duty to acknowledge Modi's efforts and expressed gratitude for the ideas put forward by the Indian leader.

Putin's comments come as India continues to maintain that dialogue and diplomacy are necessary to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Modi has repeatedly called for an end to the fighting and said India is willing to support meaningful efforts towards a peaceful resolution. In an interview with Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun in August, Modi said India had maintained a “principled and humanitarian” position and that both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had shared their perspectives on the conflict with him. He also said India's relations with key stakeholders could allow New Delhi to support peace efforts.

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Modi and Putin have maintained regular high-level engagement even as the war has continued. The two leaders most recently met in September on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. According to the Prime Minister's Office, they reviewed bilateral cooperation in areas including trade, energy, defence, infrastructure, technology and space, while also discussing regional and global developments. During that meeting, Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward in resolving conflicts and said India remained ready to assist in peace efforts.

The Indian prime minister had also raised the Ukraine conflict directly with Putin during their August 31 meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek. Modi said the war needed to end for the sake of humanity and reiterated India's support for peace initiatives. At the time, Reuters reported that Modi called for a move from continued hostilities towards an end to the war, while Russia maintained its own position on the terms required for ending the conflict. India's approach has therefore involved maintaining its strategic relationship with Moscow while also engaging with Kyiv and other countries on the question of peace.

Putin's latest remarks underline the role he sees for Modi's engagement, but they do not indicate that a peace agreement has been reached or that the conflict is close to ending. The Russia-Ukraine war remains unresolved, with Moscow and Kyiv continuing to hold differing positions on the terms of any settlement. Putin's comments instead reflect his acknowledgement of Modi's repeated calls for dialogue and his stated interest in a mutually acceptable resolution. For India, the latest remarks come amid continued diplomatic engagement with Russia and other stakeholders, with New Delhi maintaining that dialogue and diplomacy should remain central to efforts to end the conflict.

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