The 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China’s Tianjin saw the presence of top leaders around the world including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others -- in a powerful show of Global South solidarity.
The coming together of these leaders marked a significant moment, especially at a time when US President Donald Trump’s tariff war rattles global trade.
Pictures and videos from the Summit venue appeared to send out a strong message to the West -- especially amid the ongoing global tensions – of Asian solidarity.
Here’s a look at some of the most talked about images:
PM Modi, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping camaraderie at SCO summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shared a warm moment as they indulged in a candid discussion at the SCO Summit venue. What also caught everyone’s attention was the warm hug and handshake between Modi and Putin – in their first meet post Trump’s imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on India over the purchase of Russian oil.
From Xi Jinping’s preferred car to ride with Putin, PM Modi in spotlight
For his official two-day stay in Tianjin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been provided with the country’s symbolic "Made in China" Hongqi L5, the iconic luxury car preferred by President Xi Jinping himself.
The car has long been tied to China’s national pride, rolled out only for its top leaders and visiting dignitaries.
Moreover, PM Modi and Putin made a striking statement of camaraderie, travelling in the same car to the venue of their bilateral meeting in Tianjin. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "After the proceedings at the SCO Summit venue, President Putin and I travelled together to the venue of our bilateral meeting. Conversations with him are always insightful."
PM Modi, Pakistani counterpart keep distance
Even as they arrived at the SCO meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif maintained a distance. During a customary family photo session of SCO leaders, the two leaders stood far apart in the lineup.
Tensions between the two nations have been strained since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that claimed 26 lives, which led to retaliation in the form of Operation Sindoor.
The SCO Summit was the first time the two leaders shared a stage post Operation Sindoor.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif snubbed
While the camaraderie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders was visible, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif appeared rather sidelined. In one of the videos during rounds on social media, PM Modi and Putin could be seen having a chat as they walked past Sharif. Both the leaders continued ahead without offering any attention to the Pakistani PM.
Sharif is also being trolled after a video showed him running to Putin to shake his hand after a formal photo session.
PM Modi’s ‘handshake’ with Turkish President amid strained ties
PM Modi, at the SCO Summit, greeted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with a firm handshake and a pat on the back. This came amid a strain in India-Turkey ties after Operation Sindoor, when Ankara openly sided with Pakistan.
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