InternationalCurrent Affairs
Russian President Vladimir Putin has always portrayed himself as a strongman president. However, on August 31st, while attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, he was led into the venue by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and walked towards Chinese President Xi Jinping. The three of them then formed a small circle for an extended conversation. Furthermore, Xi Jinping was photographed showing a rare display of emotion during their one-on-one conversation, addressing Putin with gestures.
The Daily Beast reported that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, held from August 31 to September 1 in Tianjin, China, brought together Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The summit, hosted by Xi Jinping, aimed to showcase his vision of a"new world order not dominated by the United States."
During the summit, Putin, known for his strongman image, was photographed holding hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, as Modi walked slightly faster than Putin, it looked as if Putin was being dragged into the venue by Modi, which was a bit awkward.
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) September 1, 2025
🇷🇺🇮🇳🇨🇳 President of Russia Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, and President of China Xi Jinping just before the start of the #SCO Summit
📹 © https://t.co/1iwVtSG6SN
Another video shows Putin's right hand dangling in the air as Modi and Putin meet before entering the venue. Modi raises his left hand and snaps it down. Then, as the two enter hand-in-hand and approach Xi Jinping, Modi lets go of Putin's hand. Putin's hand hangs hesitantly and awkwardly in the air for several seconds before lowering it.
After shaking hands, the three leaders gathered in a small circle for a lively conversation. Xi Jinping briefly touched Putin's arm, prompting translators standing nearby to listen closely and assist in the conversation. The three exchanged warm smiles, and at one point, Modi shook both leaders' hands and laughed ecstatically. After the SCO summit, Modi posted a photo on social media showing him and Putin riding in the armored Aurus, a luxury limousine used exclusively by Russian leaders, on their way to the bilateral meeting. Putin frequently uses the Aurus on his travels, occasionally sharing rides with other leaders, and even gifted one to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2024.
After the proceedings at the SCO Summit venue, President Putin and I traveled together to the venue of our bilateral meeting. Conversations with him are always insightful.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2025
Manoj Kewalramani, director of Indo-Pacific studies at the Indian think tank Takshashila Institution, told the New York Times,"Image presentation is a key aspect of this summit, and the White House should understand that its policies will cause other countries to seek alternatives to satisfy their own interests." Modi's move represents a significant shift in US-India relations. In the past, the New Delhi bureaucracy generally avoided overly public interactions with China and Russia in order to maintain close ties with Washington.
Putin and Modi happily embraced during the SCO summit. (AP)
In addition, Xi Jinping was also photographed on August 31. When he was chatting alone with Putin, he rarely showed emotions and spoke to Putin with gestures.
While the increasingly irrelevant Europeans talk to each other and the little Kiev Dictator, promising to"stand with Ukraine" as the country shrinks daily-
— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) August 31, 2025
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping talked at the welcoming ceremony of the SCO summit.
The relationship is"rock solid" pic.twitter.com/E9gf400D2u
