SCO Summit: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, turned into a show of strength and optics for three major Eurasian powers – India, Russia, and China – sending a subtle yet unmistakable message to US President Donald Trump that the “global balance of power is shifting”. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the summit after a gap of seven years, hosted by China President Xi Jinping in Tianjin. His decision came against the backdrop of Donald Trump’s hard stance on India’s oil trade with Russia and lingering tensions with China following the Galwan clash. Modi’s flight to China was more than a geographic journey – it signalled a policy tilt eastward, underscoring that global markets remain open to India’s exports even if Washington shuts its doors.

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PM Modi and Russia President Vladimir Putin held a bilateral meeting today, where Putin said that he shares a “special partnership with India” and that the ties are based on “principles”. Modi, too, expressed that whenever he has a meeting with Putin, it’s always “memorable”. 

As the SCO summit concluded, some images have come out, and are proof of Modi, Putin, and Xi’s bonhomie. 

Experts suggest that these are not just pictures, but deliberate statements to the world, and especially to Trump.

1- All hugs and smiles

The very first picture that Modi shared from the summit this morning seemed like a subtle retort to Trump calling India and Russia “dead economies” that can go and do business with each other. Modi and Trump exchanged hugs, shook hands and smiled as they walked together to meet Xi Jinping.

“Always a delight to meet President Putin!” Modi posted.

These images immediately received a subtle response from America. Soon after going viral, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked, the partnership between the two nations “continues to reach new heights”. “The enduring friendship between our two peoples is the bedrock of our cooperation and propels us forward as we realise the tremendous potential of our economic relationship,” he added.

2- Elephant-Dragon-Bear together

Elephant-Dragon-Bear together, or for those unaware, India, Russia, and China leaders were seen walking side by side at the SCO Summit. This is powerful. But what’s more is that PM Modi took the centre – with Putin on his right and Xi on his left. 

In yet another picture, Xi and Putin were seen listening intently to the Indian Prime Minister. Again, a powerful reminder to the West that India stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s two big powers – forming a troika that signifies the new world order.  

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“Recent US trade moves are leading to a series of new partnerships, resuming negotiations and concluding deals that once looked impossible, and reassessing bilateral relations that once looked off limits,” Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President at Asia Society Policy Institute, states.

3- Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif snubbed

After an earlier snub at the SCO defence ministers’ meet, today, SCO members included Pahalgam in their joint statement and tilted towards India’s stance on terrorism.

Even though PM Sharif was given a cold shoulder at the SCO, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir came forward to save face. He is likely to meet Putin and would also stay back for the parade in China.

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Munir also met Trump over lunch at White House, and Trump even extended an invitation to Modi around the same time, but he declined. This is because New Delhi officials speculated that he might be forced into a photo Op with Munir.

4- The final nail in the coffin

The picture that shows Modi and Putin sitting inside the luxury car – Aurus – is the final nail in the coffin. You may ask why? This virtually put Modi on the same pedestal as Trump in his relationship with Putin, considering the US president also shared a solo car ride in Atlanta a few weeks back.

While sharing the picture, Trump wrote that they travelled together to the venue of the bilateral meeting, adding, “Conversations with him are always insightful.”

5- The handshake after 7 long years

Despite the border tensions with China, Modi and Xi held a bilateral meeting, with Modi calling the meeting “fruitful”. 

“We reviewed the positive momentum in the development of China-India relations since our last meeting in Kazan,” he said, adding that both of them agreed to maintain peace in border areas. 

India is not entirely dependent on the US for its exports and is open to realigning its strategic relations to build a new world order