India's Narendra Modi Tells Putin: 'Now Is Not The Time For War'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears to have directly rebuffed Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that now is not the time for war, Rishabh Pratap, Larry Register and Heather Chen reported for CNN.

Photo Insert: Modi's apparent criticism of Russia's invasion is only the latest setback for Putin, whose forces have suffered a series of major defeats on the battlefield in recent weeks.

In what was the latest in a series of setbacks for the Russian leader, Modi told him of the need to "move onto a path of peace" and reminded him of the importance of "democracy, diplomacy, and dialogue."

The comments from Modi came during a face-to-face meeting on Friday, on the sidelines of a regional summit, and highlighted Russia's increasing isolation on the diplomatic stage.

They came just a day after Putin conceded that China, too, had "questions and concerns" over the invasion.

"I know that today's era is not of war and we have talked to you many times over the phone on the subject that democracy and diplomacy and dialogue are all these things that touch the world," Modi told Putin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in the city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan.

"We will definitely get a chance to discuss how we can move onto the path of peace in the coming days, I will also get an opportunity to understand your point of view," he added, according to a readout of the meeting by India's Ministry of External Affairs.

Putin responded by telling the Indian leader that he was aware of his concerns.

“I know about your position on the conflict in Ukraine and I know about your concerns. We want all of this to end as soon as possible," he said.

Earlier in the summit, after acknowledging China's concerns, Putin had said, "We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis."

Modi's apparent criticism of Russia's invasion is only the latest setback for Putin, whose forces have suffered a series of major defeats on the battlefield in recent weeks. Ukraine claims to have recaptured some 8,000 square kilometers of territory.

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