Tianjin, September 1 (FrontPostPlus) – In a striking image that has gone viral, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Vladimir Putin, and President Xi Jinping joined hands at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin—a powerful symbol amid mounting global tensions. The gesture reinforced their message: a united front challenging the current U.S.-dominated global order.
A Symbol of Strategic Unity
As The New York Times noted, the hand-holding moment was crafted to indicate that these leaders aim to present a tangible alternative to U.S. global dominance. Meanwhile, The Daily Beast described even more intimate optics—Modi and Putin sharing a ride, handshakes, laughter—as evidence of deepening strategic ties.
SCO’s Rising Influence and Broader Symbolism
Chinese President Xi, hosting a summit with over 20 foreign leaders, framed the meeting as an effort to build a “multipolar world,” and to reform global institutions through multilateral cooperation. Reuters reports that Xi even proposed a new SCO development bank and alternative systems to counter U.S. financial dominance.
India’s Diplomatic Pivot
India’s warm interactions at the summit—especially between Modi and Putin—come at a time when relations with Washington are strained, following Trump’s steep tariffs on Indian goods tied to Russian oil imports. Modi’s display of camaraderie with Xi and Putin underscores India’s strategic autonomy.
What It All Means
This isn’t merely a photo-op. The image of the three leaders embracing solidarity at the SCO marks a potential shift in global geopolitics—one where emerging powers seek greater voice and agency outside the confines of Western-led institutions. While neighboring quibbles and underlying rivalries exist—especially between India and China—this summit appears to be a signal to the West: power, now more than ever, is spreading beyond its traditional centers.
