Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Monday, 31 August, standing up and waving to the Indian contingent as they were presented at the inauguration. The visit came on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where Modi held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders.

Modi at the Opening Ceremony

Modi was among the SCO leaders who participated in the official opening of the biennial games at Bishkek Arena. He was seen interacting with several heads of state, witnessing opening performances and cultural presentations from participating nations. 'Attended the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games in Bishkek. My best wishes to the Indian contingent,' Modi posted on X.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted in an official statement that the World Nomad Games celebrate 'the rich sporting traditions, culture and heritage of nomadic civilisations, bringing together countries in a vibrant celebration of their shared culture.'

Modi and Putin Travel Together

In a notable display of personal rapport, Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled to Bishkek Arena in the same car, immediately after concluding their bilateral discussions on the SCO Summit sidelines. The two leaders had exhibited a similar camaraderie at the SCO Leaders' Summit in Tianjin, China, last September, when they also shared a vehicle to their bilateral meeting venue.

Modi's Ukraine Peace Message to Putin

During his bilateral meeting with Putin, Modi reiterated India's consistent position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, urging a transition from prolonged hostilities to a negotiated peace. 'As you know, India supports all efforts towards peace and will continue to do so. Every day spent in war pushes humanity backwards, while every step taken towards peace fills humanity with a new hope and enthusiasm. We must move from endless war to an end to war. This is essential for the well-being of humanity,' Modi said in his opening remarks at the meeting.

Modi noted that both leaders have previously discussed the Ukraine situation and that Putin had briefed him in detail on all aspects of the conflict during their last meeting.

Bilateral Engagements on SCO Sidelines

Beyond the Putin meeting, Modi held bilateral talks with several world leaders on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek. India's participation in the SCO framework — which brings together major Eurasian powers — underscores New Delhi's multi-alignment approach, engaging both Western partners and SCO members simultaneously. This is the second consecutive SCO summit where Modi has held a face-to-face bilateral with Putin, reflecting the durability of the India-Russia channel even as global pressure mounts on Moscow.