"Move From Endless War To End Of War": PM Modi's Message To Putin On Ukraine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that India supports all peaceful efforts to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and will continue to do so. His message reinforced his "Not the era of war" remark issued a few years ago and is seen as one of the strongest to emerge from India on the matter.

"We have to move from a situation of 'endless war' to 'end of war'... It is humanity's wish that the end of this war happens soonest," PM Modi said during a joint statement with Russia's President Vladimir Putin following their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the SCO meet in Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek.

"We keep discussing the matter of Ukraine and the last time we met too, you had explained the situation to me in great detail. As you know, India supports all peaceful methods (to resolve the impasse)," he said. "India advocates for resolving all problems peacefully, which is necessary for all of humanity," he added.

PM Modi's comment reinforces his "not the era of war" comment made in 2022 during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin - again, on the sidelines of the SCO meet -- had resonated across the world at the time. 

In dialogues with Putin and Ukraine's President Volodimir Zelensky, India has consistently underscored the need for dialogue to resolve the conflict. 

"India is an advocate of permanent peace in this region. Our stand is very clear - this is not an era of war. This is the time to come together against those challenges which threaten humanity. Therefore, India believes in diplomacy and dialogues," PM Modi had said in 2022.

Describing India as the "land of Buddha", he had added: "Empathy is one of the identities of Indians. Whenever any trouble mounts in any country, India is the first country to extend help... India believes in Buddha's tradition, therefore, believes in peace not war... India is an advocate of peace in this region and it is clear that this is not time for war. We need to be together to fight challenges. India focuses on diplomacy and dialogue,"

This time too, his references to the needs of humanity powered his message. "Every day of war seats humanity back and we must work toward ending hostilities," he said. India, he added, is the "land of Gandhi and the land of Buddha share a single message: the path of peace."

The bilateral with President Putin takes place a week before he is expected to visit New Delhi to attend the BRICS summit.