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What is the story about?
Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first, and much awaited, bilateral engagement of 2026, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
With a handshake and a hug, the two leaders sat down to review progress in their bilateral cooperation across political, economic, defence, energy, space, mobility and people-to-people ties.
The two leaders also welcomed the outcome of the recently held 27th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Cultural matters, as per the Indian statement.
In the portion of the meeting that was publicly broadcast, Putin highlighted growing educational and cultural ties between the two countries, saying the number of Indian students studying in Russia had increased sevenfold in recent years to around 40,000 with mutual tourist flow seeing a growth of 16%.
“We closely coordinate our efforts at the United Nations, BRICS, the G20 and the SCO,” Putin said. “Today, we have a good chance to compare our notes and outline future cooperation when it comes to the development of Russian-Indian relations.”
In a post on X, Modi said the two sides held “extensive discussions” on the “full range of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
“It is gladdening to see significant progress across various sectors in recent years. Focus areas for the India-Russia friendship remain energy, innovation, space, fertilisers and people-to-people linkages,” he said.
From ‘Endless War to the End of War’
The Russia-Ukraine war emerged as a key topic of discussion between the leaders with Modi reiterating India’s longstanding position that dialogue and diplomacy are essential to resolving the conflict.
The two leaders have “consistently discussed" Ukraine, Modi said, adding that Putin briefed him, “in detail on all aspects of the matter,” during their last meeting in December 2025. Modi then urged the Russian leader to “move away from endless war towards an end to the war,” saying this was “essential for the well-being of humanity.”
“Every day spent in war sets humanity back, whereas every step taken towards peace fills humanity with new hope and enthusiasm,” Modi said.
The call to end war has been a consistent feature of interactions between the two leaders with Modi making similar calls in their previous interactions as well.
“The Prime Minister reiterated to President Putin India’s readiness to do whatever is feasible and necessary at our end to bring this conflict towards a conclusion,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at a press briefing later.
He said that Ukraine had been discussed between Modi and Putin “on practically every occasion” that they had met since the conflict began and that Putin had “always welcomed” Modi’s views.
The two leaders also discussed key regional and global issues including the crisis in the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea, Misri said. At least 5 Indian seafarers have been killed in the Black Sea.
Conversations on maritime safety, trade and the safety of seafarers, including a significant number of Indian nationals were also held between the two leaders.
Trade Talk
The two leaders also held conversations on trade, and Misri responding to a press query on trade imbalance between India and Russia said the issue was specifically referenced during the Modi-Putin conversation and was well recognised by both sides.
“Because of the large purchases of fossil energy from them, this was in fact something that was referenced in the conversation with President Putin,” he said, adding that discussions were underway on increasing Indian exports to Russia, particularly in civilian sectors.
India has been pressing Moscow for greater market access for Indian goods as it seeks to narrow the trade deficit. Misri said Modi had raised specific market-access barriers faced by Indian products with Putin during the Russian President’s previous visit to India.
The government said there had since been “significant progress” in several sectors, including market access for marine products and dairy exports.
India is also planning to organise an Indian exporters’ forum in Russia during the next annual summit, which will be held in Russia. According to Misri, Putin welcomed the idea and said Russia would be happy to host a forum where Indian exporters could showcase their products and discuss ways to diversify bilateral trade and increase Indian exports.
Stage set for BRICS
The Modi-Putin meeting has set the stage for the next set of meetings between the leaders starting with an engagement in New Delhi during the BRICS summit on September 12 and 13. Modi said that he looks forward to welcoming President Putin in India for the 18th BRICS Summit, as per the Indian statement.
Putin arrived in Bishkek on August 31 and held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping before heading for his meeting with Modi. While no bilateral engagement between Modi and Xi is on the books yet, the three leaders will be seen together on September 1 at the plenary session of the SCO summit. Xi is also expected in New Delhi for the BRICS meeting.
After concluding the bilateral meeting, Modi and Putin travelled in the same car as they headed to the opening ceremony of the VI World Nomad Games at Bishkek Arena.
Also Read: Modi meets Iran President Pezeshkian, says India wants to expand and diversify trade
With a handshake and a hug, the two leaders sat down to review progress in their bilateral cooperation across political, economic, defence, energy, space, mobility and people-to-people ties.
The two leaders also welcomed the outcome of the recently held 27th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Cultural matters, as per the Indian statement.
In the portion of the meeting that was publicly broadcast, Putin highlighted growing educational and cultural ties between the two countries, saying the number of Indian students studying in Russia had increased sevenfold in recent years to around 40,000 with mutual tourist flow seeing a growth of 16%.
“We closely coordinate our efforts at the United Nations, BRICS, the G20 and the SCO,” Putin said. “Today, we have a good chance to compare our notes and outline future cooperation when it comes to the development of Russian-Indian relations.”
In a post on X, Modi said the two sides held “extensive discussions” on the “full range of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
“It is gladdening to see significant progress across various sectors in recent years. Focus areas for the India-Russia friendship remain energy, innovation, space, fertilisers and people-to-people linkages,” he said.
From ‘Endless War to the End of War’
The Russia-Ukraine war emerged as a key topic of discussion between the leaders with Modi reiterating India’s longstanding position that dialogue and diplomacy are essential to resolving the conflict.
The two leaders have “consistently discussed" Ukraine, Modi said, adding that Putin briefed him, “in detail on all aspects of the matter,” during their last meeting in December 2025. Modi then urged the Russian leader to “move away from endless war towards an end to the war,” saying this was “essential for the well-being of humanity.”
“Every day spent in war sets humanity back, whereas every step taken towards peace fills humanity with new hope and enthusiasm,” Modi said.
The call to end war has been a consistent feature of interactions between the two leaders with Modi making similar calls in their previous interactions as well.
“The Prime Minister reiterated to President Putin India’s readiness to do whatever is feasible and necessary at our end to bring this conflict towards a conclusion,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at a press briefing later.
He said that Ukraine had been discussed between Modi and Putin “on practically every occasion” that they had met since the conflict began and that Putin had “always welcomed” Modi’s views.
The two leaders also discussed key regional and global issues including the crisis in the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea, Misri said. At least 5 Indian seafarers have been killed in the Black Sea.
Conversations on maritime safety, trade and the safety of seafarers, including a significant number of Indian nationals were also held between the two leaders.
Trade Talk
The two leaders also held conversations on trade, and Misri responding to a press query on trade imbalance between India and Russia said the issue was specifically referenced during the Modi-Putin conversation and was well recognised by both sides.
“Because of the large purchases of fossil energy from them, this was in fact something that was referenced in the conversation with President Putin,” he said, adding that discussions were underway on increasing Indian exports to Russia, particularly in civilian sectors.
India has been pressing Moscow for greater market access for Indian goods as it seeks to narrow the trade deficit. Misri said Modi had raised specific market-access barriers faced by Indian products with Putin during the Russian President’s previous visit to India.
The government said there had since been “significant progress” in several sectors, including market access for marine products and dairy exports.
India is also planning to organise an Indian exporters’ forum in Russia during the next annual summit, which will be held in Russia. According to Misri, Putin welcomed the idea and said Russia would be happy to host a forum where Indian exporters could showcase their products and discuss ways to diversify bilateral trade and increase Indian exports.
Stage set for BRICS
The Modi-Putin meeting has set the stage for the next set of meetings between the leaders starting with an engagement in New Delhi during the BRICS summit on September 12 and 13. Modi said that he looks forward to welcoming President Putin in India for the 18th BRICS Summit, as per the Indian statement.
Putin arrived in Bishkek on August 31 and held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping before heading for his meeting with Modi. While no bilateral engagement between Modi and Xi is on the books yet, the three leaders will be seen together on September 1 at the plenary session of the SCO summit. Xi is also expected in New Delhi for the BRICS meeting.
After concluding the bilateral meeting, Modi and Putin travelled in the same car as they headed to the opening ceremony of the VI World Nomad Games at Bishkek Arena.
Also Read: Modi meets Iran President Pezeshkian, says India wants to expand and diversify trade
