India’s Prime Minister Calls on Russia’s President to End Ukraine War – What’s at Stake?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end Moscow’s war against Ukraine, saying "every day spent in war pushes humanity back" and that peace would fill humanity with hope.

Modi’s request came after a regional summit in 2022, less than a year into the conflict, when he publicly cautioned that "now is not the time for war." The appeal is consistent with India’s policy of strategic autonomy, balancing its close ties to Russia with growing engagement with the United States and Europe.

India remains heavily dependent on Russian oil and imports about 40% of its defence equipment from Moscow. Despite these economic ties, the Prime Minister has openly criticised the war, reflecting pressure from Western capitals that consider India a vital partner in their geopolitical strategies.

When Modi’s plea was delivered to Putin, the Kremlin leader responded politely, thanking the Prime Minister and saying that Russia was "moving forward along this path," but without committing to a clear timetable or specific steps toward peace.

Analysts say that such public calls are unlikely to shift Russia’s calculations, which still appear to be focused on gaining a military advantage in Ukraine. Putin’s insistence on a victory narrative means that a cessation of hostilities may not come for some time, if at all.

Storage tanks at a Bharat Petroleum Corp. oil refinery in Mumbai
India’s economy relies heavily on imported Russian oil

The image illustrates India’s dependence on Russian oil supplies, a factor that underlies the delicate diplomatic calculus between Moscow and New Delhi.

Four people were killed in overnight Russian strikes on Ukraine's town of Boryspil
Four people were killed in overnight Russian strikes on Ukraine's town of Boryspil, outside Kyiv

India’s heightened concern about energy security is juxtaposed against the human toll of the war, highlighted by recent Russian strikes that have led to casualties in towns near Kyiv.

While Western nations have criticised Modi for not taking a stronger stance, the Indian government maintains that it is neither the time nor the place to push Russian forces to quit the fighting. This approach underscores the balance New Delhi seeks between its strategic interests and the global expectations for a peaceful resolution.