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PM Modi and Vladimir Putin shared a car ride to the World Nomad Games in Bishkek after their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin travel together to the World Nomad Games in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (IMAGE: Instagram/PM Modi)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin shared a car ride to the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games in Bishkek on Monday, with Modi sharing a photograph from the journey on social media.
The image showed the two leaders seated together in the car as they headed to the event following their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
“On the way to the World Nomad Games with President Putin,” Modi wrote while sharing the photograph.
The informal journey offered striking diplomatic optics after the two leaders held talks focused on the India-Russia relationship and the war in Ukraine. During the meeting, Modi said India had consistently discussed the Ukraine conflict with Putin and would continue to support efforts towards peace.
“Every day spent in war sets humanity back, whereas every step taken towards peace fills humanity with new hope and enthusiasm,” Modi told Putin. He said the two sides must move away from “endless war” towards an end to the conflict, calling a peaceful resolution the “call of humanity”.
PM Modi also highlighted the continuing expansion of bilateral cooperation, saying that putting national interests first had been a shared approach between India and Russia and would remain their guiding principle. Putin, meanwhile, said he was satisfied that the relationship between the two countries continued to strengthen on the basis of their “special and privileged partnership”.
The two leaders’ decision to travel together to the Nomad Games added a notably informal moment to an otherwise tightly choreographed diplomatic schedule in Bishkek. The opening ceremony was being attended by several international delegations, with the Games providing a cultural setting alongside the SCO summit’s high-level political engagements.
Among those present was US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor, who arrived in Bishkek with Senator Steve Daines and other senior US officials to support the American contingent competing at the Games. Gor also met Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, with the two sides discussing Kyrgyz-US political, trade, economic and investment ties as well as cooperation under the C5+1 format.
The presence of Gor at the Games gave the event an added diplomatic dimension, with the US delegation representing Washington at a major Kyrgyz national celebration even as Bishkek hosted the SCO summit.
What Are The World Nomad Games?
The World Nomad Games are an international sporting and cultural event built around traditional games, athletic practices and heritage associated with nomadic peoples.
First held in Kyrgyzstan in 2014, the Games have since expanded into a global event combining sport with cultural and scientific programmes. The 2026 edition, the sixth, runs from August 31 to September 6 and marks the Games’ return to their birthplace after editions in Turkey and Kazakhstan.
The opening ceremony is in Bishkek, while the main sporting programme is being held around the Issyk-Kul region. More than 100 countries were expected to participate, with disciplines ranging from kok-boru and horse racing to mounted competitions, wrestling and traditional intellectual games.
Quick Answers
Ask News18The World Nomad Games serve as a platform for diplomatic interactions, such as the informal car ride shared by Prime Minister Modi and President Putin after their bilateral talks. This event also allows leaders like US Envoy Sergio Gor to support their national athletes and engage with host country officials. The Games are an international sporting and cultural event focused on the traditional games and heritage of nomadic peoples.
Ask News18About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a chief sub editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has …Read More
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
August 31, 2026, 8:48 PM IST
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