New Delhi/Moscow/IBNS: India has made a direct appeal to Moscow to end the over two-year-long war against Ukraine during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's informal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the latter's residence, media reports said.

Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Russia, is believed to have told Putin as quoted by NDTV, "India has always called for respecting the UN Charter, including territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"There is no solution on the battlefield. Dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward."

The Prime Minister has also raised concern over Indian nationals being allegedly duped by unscrupulous travel agents and being deceived into joining the Russian forces.

On the pretext of getting jobs, about two dozen Indians were allegedly duped into joining the Russian forces.

In a viral video, several Indian nationals from Punjab and Haryana were seen in the Russian Army uniform.

The Indian nationals alleged that they were duped by the travel agents and being forced into joining the Russian forces. They also asked for help.

As per reports, Russia has said it will repatriate the Indian nationals.

This was Modi's first visit to Russia since the Moscow-Kyiv war and also after becoming the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive term.

Earlier, India refused to condemn Russia, with which New Delhi shares a warm relationship for decades, for its launching of attack on Ukraine and also abstained from United Nations' resolutions censuring the country. 

After concluding his Russian trip, Modi will head to Austria.