Photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi informally engaging with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have drawn attention, showing the three leaders sharing a light-hearted moment on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
The images, which echo a similar scene from the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, depict all three smiling as they converse.
In the new photograph, Putin appears on the left, PM Modi stands in the middle, and Xi on the right, with the trio walking casually before posing for the traditional SCO family photo.
Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Interactions in Tianjin continue! Exchanging perspectives with President Putin and President Xi during the SCO Summit.”
Interactions in Tianjin continue! Exchanging perspectives with President Putin and President Xi during the SCO Summit. pic.twitter.com/K1eKVoHCvv
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2025
He also shared another image with President Putin, in which the two leaders are seen warmly greeting each other with a handshake and an embrace.
“Always a delight to meet President Putin!” PM Modi captioned the post.
Always a delight to meet President Putin! pic.twitter.com/XtDSyWEmtw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2025
Bilateral Talks with Xi Jinping
Earlier on Sunday, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping, during which both sides agreed to work towards resolving long-standing border issues and expanding areas of cooperation.
The trip is PM Modi’s first to China since ties between the two countries soured after the deadly border clashes of 2020.
This engagement follows signs of stabilisation in India–China relations, particularly after the 2024 meeting in Russia, where both leaders reached an understanding.
That breakthrough included an agreement on new patrolling arrangements along the 3,500-km Line of Actual Control (LAC), which helped ease tensions that had persisted for nearly four years.
The renewed interactions also come at a time when Russia faces diplomatic pushback from Western nations over the Ukraine war, while the United States has once again raised tariff threats, adding strategic weight to the trilateral exchanges in Tianjin.
Observers suggest the joint presence of PM Modi, President Xi, and President Putin at the SCO Summit may carry symbolic significance in influencing global power dynamics, particularly against the backdrop of Washington’s trade pressure.
Also Read: PM Modi And President Putin Meeting At SCO Summit Set To Shape India–Russia Partnership
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