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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025 in Tianjin, China, delivered not only high-level diplomacy but also viral moments that captured global attention. One striking instance involved Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, who was seen walking into the summit venue alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, engaging in a warm exchange. What stood out was Modi’s decision to walk past Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif without any acknowledgement, creating a moment that resonated strongly in the context of current regional tensions.

The Viral Snub

As cameras rolled, Sharif was left standing as PM Modi and President Putin passed by, exchanging cordial words. The Indian Prime Minister’s choice to visibly ignore Sharif is being interpreted as a calculated diplomatic move, underscoring India’s firm position against Pakistan amid cross-border terrorism. Adding to the optics, PM Modi and Putin shared a warm hug shortly before commencing their bilateral talks, a gesture that further amplified the sense of camaraderie between New Delhi and Moscow.

Context of Heightened India-Pakistan Tensions

This viral moment comes against the backdrop of rising hostilities between India and Pakistan. On April 22, 2025, a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir left 26 people dead, drawing strong condemnation from New Delhi. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, intensifying counter-terror measures in Kashmir. These developments have severely strained diplomatic channels, leaving little room for engagement at multilateral platforms such as the SCO.

For Sharif, who attended the summit amid domestic challenges and international scrutiny, the public snub highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation at a time when India is consolidating stronger ties with key global players.

SCO Summit Highlights

The SCO Summit in Tianjin officially began with a grand banquet hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who called on member states to resist the “Cold War mentality” and work toward fairness and justice. The gathering was attended by leaders from across Eurasia, including UN Secretary General António Guterres.

In a symbolic moment, PM Modi, President Putin, and President Xi Jinping clasped hands, reflecting a broader shift in the global order as Asia seeks to play a greater role in shaping international stability. The optics of Modi being warmly engaged with Putin, while visibly disregarding Sharif, contrasted sharply with Pakistan’s marginalisation in the evolving strategic dynamics.

Diplomatic Messaging

Observers noted that Modi’s actions carried strong symbolic weight. By snubbing Sharif in full public view, Modi sent a clear message on India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and its sponsors. At the same time, the warmth between Modi and Putin underscored India’s long-standing strategic partnership with Russia, even as New Delhi continues to balance ties with other global powers.

This deliberate projection of India’s growing assertiveness reflects a broader strategy: aligning with friendly powers to strengthen its international position while isolating nations that support terrorism.

Implications for Regional Politics

The Tianjin summit highlighted how India’s role within the SCO is evolving beyond regional cooperation to becoming a platform for global signaling. Modi’s gestures toward Putin and his firm disregard for Sharif are likely to be closely studied by foreign policy experts as indicators of where India’s diplomacy is headed.

For Pakistan, the snub only adds to its diplomatic challenges. With the global community increasingly wary of terror sponsorship, Sharif’s visible discomfort at the SCO may further weaken Islamabad’s position.

Conclusion

The SCO Summit in Tianjin was meant to be a forum for regional stability and cooperation, but the viral moment of Modi ignoring Sharif while bonding with Putin became a defining highlight. It captured not only the shifting alliances within Eurasia but also India’s assertive approach to diplomacy in the face of terrorism.

As global dynamics continue to evolve, the imagery of Modi walking past Sharif while engaging warmly with Putin may well remain one of the summit’s most enduring memories—a visual symbol of changing geopolitics in Asia.

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