At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm exchanges with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping projected a coordinated front as India navigates tensions stemming from the Donald Trump administration’s tariff offensive over New Delhi’s Russian oil purchases. According to NDTV, the optics—hugs, smiles, and handshakes—were read as a pointed signal amid frosty India-US ties.
Hugs, handshakes, and a trilateral moment
Visuals from Tianjin showed Mr. Modi and Mr. Putin walking hand in hand before greeting Mr. Xi, with the trio sharing a laugh. NDTV notes the animated exchange prompted speculation about their discussion, while the body language suggested ease and cooperation. Mr. Modi posted on X about “exchanging perspectives” with both leaders during the summit, and separately wrote, “Always a delight to meet President Putin.”
Another image that drew attention featured Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appearing alone in the background as Mr. Modi and Mr. Putin moved to their spots for a group photograph. The India-Russia camaraderie comes as the two leaders are set to hold a bilateral meeting on the summit’s sidelines, NDTV reports.
India-China reset amid global turbulence
Border dialogue, trade, and BRICS invitation
NDTV reports that a day before the trilateral moment, Mr. Modi met Mr. Xi and agreed to work toward a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable” solution to the India-China border issues. Both sides also vowed to expand trade and investment ties to help stabilize global trade. Mr. Modi said New Delhi is committed to advancing ties with “mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity,” noting their cooperation relates to 2.8 billion people and “the welfare of all humanity.”
Amid what NDTV describes as the backdrop of Mr. Trump’s tariff war, Mr. Xi made an indirect reference to global turbulence, speaking of “fluid and chaotic” situations. He said India and China, as key members of the Global South, should strengthen cooperation on major international and regional issues.
Mr. Modi invited Mr. Xi to the BRICS summit India will host next year. NDTV adds that Mr. Xi thanked him for the invitation and offered China’s support for India’s BRICS Presidency. The SCO summit’s imagery and remarks, set against pressure from Washington, underscored India’s effort to balance ties with Moscow and Beijing while signaling policy continuity. NDTV frames the Tianjin interactions as a clear message of unity from three key Eurasian powers.
