India Welcomes Trump-Putin Alaska Summit on 15 August, Supports Diplomatic Push for Ukraine Peace

India has officially welcomed the upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, set for August 15, 2025, in Alaska. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said the meeting “holds the promise of bringing to an end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and opening up the prospects for peace,” while reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consistent message that “this is not an era of war.” India also expressed readiness to assist in any peace process that might emerge from the talks.

The decision to endorse the summit comes despite recent strains in India–U.S. relations. Washington has sharply increased tariffs on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil. India has defended its position as a matter of national interest and criticised what it sees as double standards in the way sanctions are applied by Western nations.

Ahead of the Alaska meeting, Prime Minister Modi and President Putin held a phone conversation reaffirming their commitment to deepening the India–Russia strategic partnership, with discussions also covering the latest developments in Ukraine. On the economic front, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval recently met Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov to explore industrial collaboration, including in aviation.

The summit will mark the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin since 2021, and Putin’s first visit to the United States since 2015. President Trump has hinted that a peace deal could involve territorial adjustments between Russia and Ukraine — a proposal firmly rejected by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who insists Ukraine will not cede “a single inch” of its territory. European leaders have echoed Kyiv’s demand that any agreement must include Ukraine directly in the talks and come with strong security guarantees.

The Alaska summit is being seen as one of the most high-profile U.S.–Russia engagements in decades. For India, backing this diplomatic effort reflects its strategy of balancing ties with both Washington and Moscow while promoting dialogue over conflict, even as it navigates the complex geopolitical pressures of the Ukraine war.