Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Last week, President Vladimir Putin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his peace push to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, saying the Indian leader has a desire to end the conflict, has good ideas for finding solutions, and asks questions about ending the war. He also thanked PM Modi for his efforts.
At an event in Moscow, President Putin said: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of those world leaders who, despite our very good and even friendly relations, personal good relations, constantly raises the question and asks questions about putting an end to the conflict in Ukraine…He has an avid interest and very good ideas aimed at finding mutually acceptable solutions. In that sense, naturally, the Prime Minister takes a neutral position but with an interest in the end of the conflict. I think it’s my duty to say directly. And we are thankful to the Prime Minister for his ideas…We are thankful for his desire to put an end to this conflict through peaceful means and as soon as possible.”
A day later, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, unusually, wrote on X: “The Russian President, Shri Vladimir Putin’s appreciation of PM Shri @narendramodi ji’s tireless efforts towards global peace brings immense pride to every Indian. His statement, which coincides with the Jayanti of Mahatma Gandhi Ji, who gave the world the message of peace and non-violence, demonstrates that India, under the leadership of Modiji, has today emerged as a trusted voice of global peace.
“During periods marked by wars, conflicts, and turbulence, Modiji has conveyed the message that solutions do not emerge from battlefields but through dialogue and diplomacy. India, under the leadership of Modiji, has always stepped forward with help and assistance, whether in situations of war or calamity, giving a new recognition to our timeless tradition of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
“This is the reason why India’s voice matters greatly today whenever the world faces a global crisis, and Modiji’s words are listened to with keen attention.”
Is there much more than meets the eye?
President Putin, a former KGB spymaster, is known to be man of few words. Does his fulsome praise of the Indian leader indicate his own desire to end the Ukraine mess—shifting credit to India, instead of the West?
In 1965, the then Soviet Union had played a key role in ending the India-Pakistan War. Is it India’s payback time?
Looks like some groundwork has been done in this direction.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India is taking a more direct role in efforts to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, engaging both sides on issues, including shipping and reducing hostilities, the media reported on Monday.
Speaking at a security conference over the weekend, he said India in recent months has become “a little bit more involved beyond advocacy.” The comments point to a more active role for New Delhi after years of taking a cautious approach to the war, in part because of its longstanding ties with Russia.
“We have conversations with both Russia and Ukraine in this regard. We are trying to be helpful, starting with the Black Sea safety of shipping issue,” he said, adding that talks have also covered energy shipments and “non-attack possibilities.”
India has called for a halt to the fighting but has been reluctant to criticize the Kremlin, abstaining from United Nations votes condemning the war. PM Modi called on President Putin to end the conflict during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan in late August.
Dr. Jaishankar said dialogue and diplomacy are essential to ending the war. India’s relationship with Russia has evolved over the years and now spans energy, space and trade, he said.
When he met Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi in September, they pledged to deepen ties, underscoring their close relationship even as Washington pressed New Delhi to distance itself from Moscow.
The US has sought to use its position as India’s top trading partner to pressure New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil. India’s purchases initially declined before picking up again during the ongoing Middle East war.
Russia is also a major supplier of weapons to New Delhi. The Indian military has hundreds of Russian-made fighter jets, as well as several S-400 air-defence systems that were used during the four-day conflict with Pakistan in May 2025.
The destructive war started in February 2022 when Russia launched a “special military operation,” hoping it would end in “48 hours.” But the West, led by the USA, has beefed up Ukraine with funds and arms, enabling it to continue the war. All efforts so far to end the war, with which Russia sought to keep out the NATO from setting up bases in Ukraine, have come to a nought.