India Urges Shift From 'Endless War' to 'End of War' in Ukraine

India has formally reiterated its call for an end to the war in Ukraine, with the foreign ministry confirming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi pressed the need for peace during his bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking at an official briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the Prime Minister emphasised the importance India continues to attach to dialogue and diplomacy as essential tools for resolving differences. He also stressed the need to move from a situation of 'endless war' to an 'end of war'.

Misri added that the Prime Minister underlined the dismal prospect of every day spent in the perpetuation of war, while describing each step toward ending hostilities as a step in the direction of hope for humanity.

At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, PM Modi told Putin: "We have to move from a situation of 'endless war' to 'end of war'... Every day of war sets humanity back, and we must work toward ending hostilities."

The Prime Minister also conveyed India's readiness to do whatever is feasible and necessary to move the conflict toward a conclusion, noting that the war is exacting a heavy toll on the global community at large.

India, he said, advocates for resolving all problems peacefully, a position that echoes his 2022 statement that "this is not an era of war," which had resonated widely across the international community.