Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Modi-Putin Meeting Covers Ties, Trade, Defence And Ukraine
Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin met during a large international meeting in Bishkek.
They talked about how India and Russia can work together in defence, trade, energy and other areas.
Modi also asked Putin to help move the Ukraine conflict toward peace.
India has continued working with Russia even though it wants the war to end.
India said 227 of its citizens were recruited into Russia’s armed forces.
Of these, 139 were discharged and 51 died.
India is asking Russia to release the Indian citizens who are still serving.
The two countries also want to increase trade, travel, education and other connections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin reviewed India-Russia cooperation in defence, trade, energy, space and other sectors.
Modi urged Putin to move from an “endless war” toward an end to the Ukraine war and supported peaceful efforts.
India said 227 nationals had been recruited into the Russian armed forces, including 51 who died and 139 who were discharged.
India is negotiating with Russia for the release and repatriation of Indian nationals still serving in its armed forces.
The leaders discussed regional conflicts, maritime trade, Indian seafarer safety and expanding business, education and tourism ties.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin; Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also disclosed figures about Indian nationals in the Russian armed forces.
- What
- The leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed defence, trade, energy, regional conflicts and efforts to end the Ukraine war.
- When
- Monday, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit.
- Where
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Modi and Putin later attended the World Nomad Games opening ceremony at Bishkek Arena.
- Why
- To advance India-Russia cooperation, address regional and global issues, and discuss the release and repatriation of Indian nationals serving in Russia’s armed forces.
Peace And Humanitarian Concerns
Strategic Partnership And Cooperation
Approach to the Ukraine war
Peace And Humanitarian Concerns
India is calling for a peaceful solution and urging a move from an endless war toward an end to the conflict.
Strategic Partnership And Cooperation
Russia continues to be described as maintaining a special and privileged partnership with India; the article does not provide a direct Russian response to Modi’s peace appeal.
Indian nationals in Russian forces
Peace And Humanitarian Concerns
India is seeking the discharge and repatriation of Indian citizens still serving and is responding to concerns raised by their families.
Strategic Partnership And Cooperation
The article reports that Russia has recruited Indian nationals and that India is in continuing discussions with Russian authorities, but it gives no detailed Russian position on the cases.
Bilateral relationship
Peace And Humanitarian Concerns
India is balancing its calls for peace with concerns about citizens recruited into the Russian military and the wider effects of regional conflicts.
Strategic Partnership And Cooperation
Putin praised Modi’s role in strengthening bilateral ties, while both countries are pursuing cooperation in defence, energy, trade, education, tourism and other sectors.
- Indian nationals recruited
- 227 Indian nationals were recruited into the Russian armed forces.
- Deaths reported
- India said 51 recruited Indian nationals had died.
- Discharged nationals
- 139 Indian nationals had been discharged from the Russian armed forces.
- Main peace message
- Modi said the countries must move from an “endless war” toward an end to the Ukraine war.
- Bilateral topics
- The leaders reviewed political, economic, defence, energy, space, mobility and people-to-people ties.
- Other regional issues
- They discussed conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, including effects on maritime trade and Indian seafarers.
- Follow-up efforts
- India’s Embassy in Moscow is monitoring remaining cases while India negotiates with Russia for releases and repatriation.