PM Modi, Putin, Xi Jinping Share Light Moment At SCO Meet, Video Goes Viral

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen having a light moment with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin as world leaders arrived for the SCO Heads of State Council Summit.

The video of the world's top leaders' interaction has gone viral.

Talking about the conversation with the two leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post, shared, "Interactions in Tianjin continue! Exchanging perspectives with President Putin and President Xi during the SCO Summit."

The development comes at a time when India's ties with the US has strained as Donald Trump imposed 50% tariff on India exports for buying Russian oil.

Speaking to PTI, former Ambassador to China Ashok Kantha on PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting on the sidelines of the Tianjin SCO Summit, said: "When the Prime Minister goes on a bilateral visit to China or other countries, he usually has multiple meetings... his bilateral meeting was with his counterpart, President Xi Jinping.

Now, a separate meeting with Cai Qi, who is number five in the hierarchy of the Communist Party of China and also the Director of the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which makes him the de facto Chief of Staff of President Xi. So, the Chief of Staff of President Xi meeting with Prime Minister Modi also suggests that there will be greater involvement of the Party in progressing India-China relations. This is an important, significant meeting."

The summit meeting of the Heads of State from the 10-member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) commenced on Monday in Tianjin, China.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other leaders of the organisation, initiated a day-long discussion to outline the future direction of the bloc. Chinese President Xi Jinping extended a warm welcome to the leaders.

The 25th summit was officially launched on Sunday evening with a grand banquet hosted by Xi, which was attended by notable figures including Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This year's summit is noted to be the largest gathering of the SCO, as China, which holds the Presidency of the organisation this year, has invited 20 foreign leaders and 10 heads of international organisations, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, to participate in the SCO Plus summit.

On Monday, the leaders addressed the meeting, articulating their future vision for the organisation. Modi's speech is being closely monitored for its implications, particularly in light of US President Donald Trump's tariff conflict and the Indian Prime Minister's meeting with Xi on Sunday, which was anticipated to establish a new framework for their bilateral relations.

In his address at the welcome banquet, Xi remarked that the SCO carries significant responsibilities in maintaining regional peace and stability, as well as fostering the development of various nations amidst a world characterized by increasing uncertainties and rapid changes.

During the banquet, Xi expressed his confidence that through the collaborative efforts of all parties, the summit will achieve complete success, and that the SCO is poised to assume an even more prominent role and attain greater advancements. He stated that it will contribute significantly to enhancing unity and cooperation among member states, consolidating the strength of the Global South, and promoting further progress in human civilization.

Established in Shanghai in June 2001, the SCO has grown from six founding members to a 26-nation coalition comprising 10 members, two observers, and 14 dialogue partners across Asia, Europe, and Africa. With major emerging markets and developing countries.