Prime Minister Narendra Modi went viral on Monday over his camaraderie with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the SCO Summit. The ‘productive’ event was marked by multiple meetings between the trio — coming days after US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff against New Delhi.
The Modi-Xi-Putin bond
People from around the world had watched keenly as Modi headed to Tianjin for the Summit hosted by Xi Jinping. He held a bilateral meeting with the Chinese President even before the event started, discussed global peace and stability with Russian leader Vladimir Putin the next day, and concluded the trip with a trilateral discussion.
Visuals of the three leaders laughing as they spoke during the Summit have since gone viral on social media. Others noted that Putin and Modi had held hands as they headed for a meeting with Xi — after a 45-minute car ride together. Another heavily shared video shows Modi holding hands with both Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping at once as he pulled them closer for a photo.
As some on social media pointed out, Narendra Modi might be the only world leader to hug both Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin within the same year. Others noted that the private car ride and talks might have left US President Donald Trump somewhat outraged — considering Putin had eschewed his own limousine to ride with the POTUS only last month.
“Putin must have told a banger of a joke as Modi gives big laugh Probably joking about those 50% Trump tariffs,” jibed the Russian state-controlled RT news handle while sharing a video.
“Putin and Modi casually vibing in one car on the way to the SCO Summit. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is watching them like: “First they ignored me…then they collab without me…next they’ll launch a podcast together!” laughed a third.
Shehbaz Sharif gets trolled
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also heavily trolled by netizens after his awkward demeanour during the event went viral. Several photos showed the top official staring stonily ahead while PM Modi and Vladimir Putin walked by engaged in cheerful conversation. Another video showed the politician apparently rushing forward to shake hands with Putin. Others edited the Pakistani Prime Minister into various comical situations to underscore his seemingly unfortunate plight during the Summit.
“SCO Summit 2025: Where leaders do roundtables, but all we remember is Sharif making a ‘why am I even here?!’ face,” joked one user.
“While other leaders showed composure, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif came running to Putin to shake his hand… Pathetic attention-seeking behaviour. Xi Jinping realised what Sharif was going to do, so he looked the other way and ignored him,” claimed another.