Media Coverage | 07-09-2026
PM Modi has told Putin at least four times that battlefields do not yield solutions
As soon as Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, last week that every day spent in war pushes humanity backward, the statement became a subject of discussion across the world. It also raised several other questions: Will Putin listen to Modi? Was this statement made by India merely to appease the US and Europe? Is India shifting its stance on supporting Russia?
Many such questions are currently being discussed. However, I believe India’s stand has always been the same: Peace. The soil of India is imbued with the fragrance of the ideals of Lord Mahavir, Lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, who freed India from the clutches of the British through Satyagraha. We adopted non-violent means to attain freedom and post-independence too, we made truth and non-violence the foundation of our lives. From Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi, the country has consistently advocated for global peace. We place complete faith in the policy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. We remain steadfast on the principles of Panchsheel. Our policy of peace has never changed. We are the only country in the world that has never initiated an attack on anyone. Whenever we raised arms, it was for self-defence, to protect others or to give a fitting reply to an aggressor!
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to Putin to end the war reflects this very policy of peace. And this is not the first time PM Modi has made such an appeal to Putin. As far as I remember, PM Modi has appealed to end the Ukraine war and adopt the path of peace at least four times. The war between Ukraine and Russia began in February 2022, and in September 2022, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, PM Modi publicly told Putin that today’s era is not an era of war. His statement was widely discussed across the world, and it was even praised in the G20 declaration. After that, when PM Modi arrived in Moscow in July 2024, he told Putin that a solution cannot be found on the battlefield. Peace talks are not possible amid raining bombs and bullets, and the war must end through dialogue. In October 2024, in the Russian city of Kazan, he reiterated that the Russia-Ukraine conflict must have an early and peaceful resolution, and that India favours the peaceful resolution of disputes.
And now in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, PM Modi offered the mantra that we must move towards the end of the war! Every single day spent in war pushes humanity backward. And every step taken towards peace fills humanity with new hope and enthusiasm. Putin’s response was measured; he stated that they are moving in this direction. So, is Putin truly taking steps towards peace? It certainly does not appear so. If he bows down, it would be the biggest defeat of his life! He will never do that because he is confident that he is on the verge of annexing a large part of Ukraine. Yes, if an opportunity ever arises where Putin reaches an advantageous position and wants to end the war on his own terms, he might lean on India for support. Those who believe that PM Modi’s statement is against Russia must understand that in the arena of politics and diplomacy, things are not always as they appear. This entire episode is about the search for peace in the arena of diplomacy. History is witness to the fact that peace comes only when the ‘mighty’ is satisfied, and the appetite of the ‘mighty’ in this case has not yet been satiated!
India’s GDP growth roars across the world!
At the time of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, the news of India’s GDP growing at 7.8 per cent in the first quarter is being seen globally as India’s roar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only shared this information with the nation via social media but also sent a strong signal to the world: Despite widespread global turmoil, oil price shocks and severe supply chain disruptions, India has achieved this robust momentum. This is the India of a new era. Its youths have already established their dominance across the world, and there is simply no question of looking back. No one can dare ignore India’s power!
DJ waley jara dheere baja!
How should noise be controlled during festivals? This question has come up again. In some districts of Maharashtra, strict orders have been issued against ear-splitting DJs until November 1. I completely agree with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis that a comprehensive policy should be framed through consensus to curb noise pollution. Without a doubt, we all love celebrations. Festivals are an integral part of our culture, and we possess such melodious musical instruments that offer pure joy without causing noise. We should use them. Who doesn’t know that the harsh sound of DJs is extremely hazardous, especially for children, the elderly and heart patients? Beyond causing hearing impairment, it sometimes even claims lives. It is not as if noise pollution occurs only during festivals. Even today on the roads, the pressure horns of vehicles split people’s ears. We must all stand up as responsible citizens against noise pollution. It has become a serious issue.
The author is the chairman, Editorial Board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha.
vijaydarda@lokmat.com
