Tianjin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the traditional “family photo” with world leaders at the official reception for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, hosted in Tianjin, China. He was warmly welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan.
A moment of diplomatic significance
Standing in the front row, Prime Minister Modi appeared alongside prominent leaders—including Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif—united in a moment of regional camaraderie amid global tensions.
Broader context at the SCO Summit
This summit marks Modi’s first visit to China in seven years and comes at a time of shifting global alliances. During bilateral talks with Xi, Modi emphasized India’s commitment to strengthening ties based on mutual respect, trust, and strategic autonomy. The two leaders discussed trade, border stability, and global challenges like terrorism, with both sides agreeing not to let border issues define their broader relationship.
Strategic diplomacy and global signalling
The summit, described as the largest in SCO history, features leaders from SCO member states and key dialogue partners. It serves as a geopolitical counterweight to Western influence, with China leveraging its rotating chairmanship to moderate global order conversations and strengthen regional cooperation, while India asserts its own standing in multilateral diplomacy.
Conclusion
By participating in the family photo and engaging in direct talks with Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Modi underscored India’s proactive role in regional cooperation. The SCO Summit has become not only a platform for diplomacy but also a stage for India to project its leadership in shaping the evolving global order