Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly clasped Russian President Vladimir Putin’s hand on Monday, sharing a hearty laugh as the two leaders greeted each other like longtime friends. Chinese President Xi Jinping joined them, offering a reserved smile as the three briefly exchanged words before posing together for a group photo.
The moment came just ahead of the official opening of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, a major port city in northern China. The annual gathering brings together Eurasian powers and has grown in both membership and influence, often seen as a platform balancing U.S. dominance in global affairs.
In his opening address, President Xi urged member states to reject “Cold War thinking, rival blocs and bullying,” instead advocating for cooperation under a U.N.-centred system. He emphasized that the SCO should play a role in promoting a multipolar world order and push for “a more just and balanced global governance system” at a time of rising geopolitical competition. The summit is expected to focus on regional security, economic cooperation, and collective resilience.
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