India's Modi asks Putin to end Ukraine war amid U.S. oil tariff threat

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russia to end the war in Ukraine and to halt hostilities during a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. The encounter underscored New Delhi’s push for a diplomatic, negotiated settlement to the conflict as India seeks to balance its relations with Moscow and its Western partners. Modi’s appeal came in a broader international context shaped by Western pressure on Moscow and by policy debates in the United States, including a threat to impose tariffs on Russian oil to curb funding for the war. The leaders did not announce any immediate breakthrough, according to early reports, but Modi emphasized the need for de-escalation and dialogue. The SCO platform provided a forum for the leaders to exchange views on regional security and the humanitarian impact of the war, while India continues to emphasize stability in energy markets and the importance of dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv. The meeting reflects Delhi’s preference for diplomacy and restraint as it navigates complex energy, security, and geopolitical dynamics on the world stage.