At the 25th SCO Summit held in Tianjin, China (August 31–September 1, 2025), Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in pivotal diplomacy with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi and Putin shared warm gestures—hugs and even holding hands—as they traveled together and posed for imagery symbolizing strengthened ties among the trio The Times of IndiaOmniThe Economic TimesReutersThe Sun.
🧭 Key Highlights
- Modi–Xi Meeting: Described India and China as “development partners, not rivals,” advocated for peace and gradual resolution of border disputes, and promoted expanded economic cooperation The Times of IndiaThe AustralianAP NewsReuters.
- Modi–Putin Engagement: Their casual gesture of sharing a ride in an Aurus limousine and affectionate camaraderie underscored India’s independent strategic positioning and longstanding friendship with Russia ReutersABC NewsOmniThe Sun.
- Xi’s Speech: He lambasted what he termed “bullying behavior” by unnamed nations, advocated multilateralism, and reiterated support for reforms to global institutions under SCO’s leadership in securing a multipolar world order The TimesAP NewsThe Australian.
- SCO Expansion: Xi proposed establishing a development bank, an energy cooperation platform, and expanding satellite systems access to boost SCO’s influence beyond security concerns AP NewsWikipedia.
🌍 Strategic Implications
This summit emphasized the TEN-member SCO’s emergence as a counterweight to Western alliances like NATO, with China steering institutional evolution toward economic and geopolitical cooperation. Modi’s interactions signal India’s strategic autonomy, balancing its global partnerships while addressing key concerns like terrorism collaboration and economic diplomacy The TimesABC NewsThe Times of India.
