In 2022, the BJP claimed that Modi paused the war in Ukraine

The claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi paused the war in Ukraine in 2022 to facilitate the evacuation of Indian students has been widely circulated, particularly by the BJP during election campaigns. However, this claim has been met with skepticism and refutation from various sources. According to India Today, while Modi did make phone calls to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to ensure the safe passage of Indian students, there is no evidence that these calls resulted in a formal pause of the war. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also denied claims that Russia stopped the war specifically for the evacuation, stating that such assertions were "absolutely inaccurate" (The Quint). The BBC reported that the BJP's campaign implied Modi's intervention led to a temporary halt in fighting, but this was part of a broader narrative to bolster his image. Additionally, Al Jazeera noted that while Putin ordered Russian soldiers to ensure the safe exit of Indian nationals, this did not equate to a complete pause in the conflict. Therefore, while Modi's diplomatic efforts may have contributed to creating safer conditions for evacuation, the claim that he paused the war is an exaggeration and not supported by verified evidence.