Indian PM Modi Advises Putin at SCO Summit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Monday (31/8/2026). This appeal was made as India faces the threat of high tariffs from the United States following its purchase of Russian energy.
“India supports all peace efforts in this region [the Ukraine war], and we will continue to do so,” said Modi, as quoted by CNBC International on Tuesday (1/9/2026). He emphasised that both nations must encourage the cessation of hostilities.
“We must move from an endless war towards the end of war, towards the cessation of hostilities,” Modi stated. He added, “Every day the war continues, humanity takes one step back.”
Modi’s call comes as Russia intensifies its military pressure on Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defence stated on Monday plans to launch “massive attacks” against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, just days after a major strike on an ammunition depot that killed 31 people.
Attacks on energy infrastructure during the winter are expected to be one of the greatest challenges for Kyiv. This situation has heightened concerns that Ukraine will once again face significant pressure on its energy systems when winter arrives.
On the other hand, India is also facing pressure from Washington regarding its relationship with Moscow. The US House of Representatives is expected to pass a bill proposed by Senator Lindsey Graham, which could impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that are among the top five purchasers of Russian oil or gas, including India and China.
Russia is the largest supplier of crude oil to India. In June and July, Russian oil accounted for more than 50% of India’s oil imports, while its share reached almost 43% up to 24 August; from April to July, Russian exports to India surged by nearly 60% year-on-year to over US$34 billion, or approximately Rp601.8 trillion.
During the meeting, Putin welcomed the growth in bilateral India-Russia trade, although he acknowledged that “there was a slight decline last year.” Washington has previously imposed additional tariffs on India regarding Russian energy purchases and is now pushing for increased supplies of Venezuelan crude oil to India as an alternative to replace Russian oil.