Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the official Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Family Photograph in Tianjin, China, on Sunday, standing alongside global leaders at a key diplomatic event on the margins of the summit.
The photograph, reflecting cooperation among member states, featured Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and leaders from other participating nations.
China, this year’s host, formally opens the SCO Summit on Sunday.
The organisation, made up of eight member countries, works on security, economic and political collaboration across Eurasia.
This visit marks PM Modi’s first to China in seven years, a development seen as notable as India and China cautiously rebuild relations after the 2020 border tensions.
Informal Exchanges with President Xi and President Putin
Ahead of the formal proceedings, Prime Minister Modi was seen in conversation with President Xi and President Putin, signalling a revival of personal diplomacy.
His interaction with the Russian leader drew attention, with images of the two leaders warmly embracing and holding hands breaking the formality of the event.
Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Always a delight to meet President Putin!”
Always a delight to meet President Putin! pic.twitter.com/XtDSyWEmtw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2025
Later in the day, Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, hosted a banquet in Tianjin to welcome visiting dignitaries before the official start of the 25th SCO Summit.
During the family photo session, PM Modi stood in the front row, while Putin and Xi posed together as hosts and key figures of the grouping.
Earlier, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Xi, their first in ten months. Both reaffirmed their commitment to steady ties and pledged to work towards addressing outstanding issues, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
PM Modi remarked that ties had advanced in a ‘meaningful direction’ and observed that disengagement had created a ‘peaceful environment’ at the border.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying he hoped the Tianjin discussions would ‘further elevate’ the relationship and ensure its ‘healthy and stable development’.
Also Read: PM Modi, President Xi And President Putin Share Light Moment At SCO Summit
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