Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that “every day of war sets humanity back.” The 26th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek saw bilateral meetings involving Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit is marking the 25th anniversary of the organization’s founding, according to The Times of India.
The highlight of the summit was the meeting between Modi and Putin, where the Indian leader publicly called for an end to the war in Ukraine. “We must move from endless war to an end of war,” Modi said, adding that “every day of war sets humanity back.” In response, Putin stated, “Russia is on the path to ending the Ukrainian conflict.” He also thanked Modi for his personal commitment to Russian-Indian relations, while Modi invited Putin to visit India in September for the BRICS summit in New Delhi.
Another key meeting took place between Putin and Xi Jinping, marking the first leg of the Chinese leader’s September diplomatic tour ahead of the BRICS summit and a planned meeting with Donald Trump. Xi emphasized the need for continued coordination between Beijing and Moscow to counter external pressure and sanctions. The two sides also discussed developing Eurasian transport corridors, energy security, and trade in national currencies.
On the topic of Ukraine, Chinese state media took a measured tone, with Xi reiterating China’s standard position on the need for “political settlement and dialogue.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Kyiv is not yet responding to mediators’ proposals for a peaceful resolution. Russian officials also recalled agreements that Putin and Trump reportedly reached during talks in Anchorage. According to the Russian side, the leaders agreed on ending the war if Ukrainian forces withdraw from Donbas and halt combat operations on the front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Diplomatic activity in Bishkek coincided with Russia-U.S. negotiations. According to American media, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is in talks with the Russian delegation discussing Donald Trump’s peace plan.
Since the start of the full-scale war, Putin has traveled abroad far less often, with most foreign visits limited to countries that support or refrain from criticizing Moscow. As a result, Russia is increasingly reliant on a small group of major partners, notably China and India. India remains a key buyer of Russian oil despite U.S. pressure, while China not only continues trading with Russia but is also becoming more involved in supporting its defense industry. In 2026, there were reports of Chinese components being supplied for Russian weaponry and Russian military personnel training in China.
