Modi Advocates for Peace in Ukraine During BRICS Summit, as Putin Seeks Global Support

On the eve of the BRICS summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of peace in Ukraine in a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, offering India’s help to achieve a truce in the ongoing conflict. Modi reiterated India’s stance that the war should end through peaceful means, underlining New Delhi’s readiness to support efforts to restore stability in Europe.

Putin, who launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, aims to use the BRICS summit as a platform to highlight the growing influence of non-Western nations amid efforts by the U.S. and its allies to isolate Russia. The summit is being attended by leaders from 22 countries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, and represents 45% of the world’s population and 35% of global economic output.

At the summit, Modi expressed gratitude for Putin’s invitation to visit Kazan and praised Russia-India relations, describing their partnership as “privileged” and “strategic.” However, he also called for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing that India’s focus is on humanitarian concerns and the prioritization of peace.

Putin, while thanking Modi for his friendship, reaffirmed Russia’s territorial claims in Ukraine, including the annexed regions of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine, stating that Moscow’s long-term security interests must be respected.

Putin also met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for informal talks, during which the two leaders discussed mediation efforts in the Ukraine conflict. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin held discussions on the crisis, although no specific details were released.

The BRICS summit, taking place as global finance leaders convene in Washington amid geopolitical and economic concerns, highlights the bloc’s growing significance on the world stage. With BRICS expanding to include nations like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, some observers worry that enlargement may make the group more unwieldy, especially given the differing relations between members such as China and India.

While the West views Putin as a war criminal, Russia is seeking to rally support within BRICS to create a platform for international payments that could bypass Western sanctions. The summit also underscores the shifting balance of economic power: BRICS is projected to account for 37% of global GDP by the end of the decade, compared to the G7’s projected 28%, according to IMF data.