Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin were observed arriving together at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. Their subsequent warm exchange garnered significant attention.
Video footage and photographs from the event showed the three leaders shaking hands and engaging in a brief, light-hearted conversation, highlighting a moment of visible camaraderie among the prominent figures of the group.
The visuals also captured a notable moment where Prime Minister Modi and President Putin walked past Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was standing alone and looking forward. This scene made him appear to be on the periphery of the gathering.
This incident followed earlier images from the summit that showed a physical distance between Modi and Sharif. In the family photo, they were several places apart, and at the banquet, they were seen with their backs turned to each other.
Shortly after this interaction, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared two photographs on X (formerly Twitter) of himself with President Putin and President Xi. "Interactions in Tianjin continue! Exchanging perspectives with President Putin and President Xi during the SCO Summit," he wrote, emphasising the friendly engagement between the three leaders.
Also Read: SCO leaders’ meet opens in Tianjin, PM Modi to speak shortly
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to address the SCO plenary session later in the day. During his address, he is expected to outline India's priorities concerning regional security, economic cooperation, and connectivity. He will also hold a bilateral meeting with President Putin, maintaining New Delhi's tradition of close consultations with Moscow on matters of defence, energy, and strategic cooperation.
The Tianjin summit is taking place during a period of significant global instability. India-Pakistan relations remain strained following Operation Sindoor in May. While India-China ties are showing signs of thawing, they are still impacted by the ongoing border standoff.
Furthermore, global trade tensions are on the rise after US President Donald Trump implemented sweeping tariff hikes, including a 50 pc duty on Indian exports.
Also Read: PM Modi, Xi discuss cross-border terror; China backs India: Govt
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