Tianjin
World leaders gathered for the traditional “family photo” at the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted a pre-summit banquet to welcome attendees.
Prominent positions in the group photo
In the image, PM Narendra Modi stood in the front row, alongside Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. Notably, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also positioned in the front row.
Symbolic significance
This marked the first high-profile moment since India’s Operation Sindoor that saw PM Modi and PM Sharif appear simultaneously on an international stage—a powerful visual in the context of regional diplomacy.
Wider participation
Beyond the main member states—China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus—the summit also included representatives from observer nations, dialogue partners, and key international organisations such as the UN, ASEAN, and the CIS.
Conclusion
The family photograph reflected not just ceremonial tradition but also the balance of influence among major world leaders. With Modi standing prominently in the front row alongside Xi and Putin, the moment highlighted India’s strategic presence in the evolving regional order.