Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday exchanged perspectives on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, ranging from the Ukraine conflict to the situations in West Asia and the Black Sea region that have disrupted maritime trade and threatened the safety and security of Indian seafarers, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said after their meeting in Bishkek.
The two leaders held talks on the margins of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Kyrgyzstan’s capital.
This marked their first meeting of the year, following their earlier encounter in New Delhi for the 23rd Annual Summit in December last year.
“The leaders exchanged views on India-Russia engagement in the multilateral arena, in particular in BRICS under India’s Chairship for 2026. Prime Minister stated that he looks forward to welcoming President Putin in India for the 18th BRICS Summit on 12-13 September 2026,” it added.
The leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation across political, economic, defence, energy, space, mobility and people-to-people ties, according to the MEA. Prime Minister reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy was the way forward in resolving conflicts,” the MEA statement said. Terming it a “call of humanity,” the Prime Minister said India’s message has consistently been that all issues should be resolved peacefully and at the earliest.
They also shared perspectives on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region which have impacted maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers. “The two leaders agreed to remain engaged to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries, which continues to register significant growth and has shown resilience in the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties. Immediately after their bilateral discussions, Prime Minister Modi and President Putin travelled in the same car to the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games at Bishkek Arena, underscoring their warm camaraderie.
