India ready to do whatever feasible to end conflict
PM meets Iran President, calls for peace in WA
BISHKEK, Aug 31:
Calling for an immediate end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to move from “endless war towards end of war”, asserting that a peaceful resolution of the conflict is humanity’s shared priority
In a meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in this capital city of Kyrgyzstan, Modi said every day of war sets the humanity back and that India, the land of Gandhi and Buddha, supports all efforts towards peace and will continue to do so.
During a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to transition away from prolonged conflict and work toward ending the war in Ukraine.
Highlighting India’s heritage of peace through figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Gautama Buddha, Modi reiterated that continued fighting harms global progress, noting that New Delhi stands ready to support diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis.
Strengthening Bilateral Economic and Strategic Ties
Alongside discussions on Ukraine, the two leaders reviewed their broad bilateral agenda, focusing on:
Trade and Market Access: Addressing non-tariff barriers and expanding Indian exports to Russia.
Supply Chain Security: Enhancing cooperation in critical sectors such as energy and fertilizers.
Multilateral Engagement: Reviewing shared priorities across platforms like BRICS, ahead of Putin’s scheduled visit to India for the 18th BRICS Summit.
Maritime Safety: Assessing the impact of regional instability in the Black Sea on commercial shipping and the safety of Indian seafarers.
Talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
In a separate sideline engagement—marking their first bilateral discussion since the eruption of Iran–US hostilities earlier this year—Modi met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Key outcomes of the India–Iran dialogue included:
West Asia Stability: Modi emphasized the protection of civilians, preservation of civil infrastructure, and the safeguarding of freedom of navigation.
Trade Diversification: Both sides expressed intent to broaden and diversify the bilateral trade portfolio.
Diplomatic Mediation: Pezeshkian welcomed India’s constructive role, encouraging New Delhi to leverage its diplomatic channels to foster regional dialogue and de-escalate tensions.
