The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025 in Tianjin, China, saw a lighthearted yet awkward moment when Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif once again fumbled with his translation headphones during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The clip of the incident quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention on social media platforms and sparking a flood of memes, comparisons, and commentary.

The Viral Moment at SCO 2025

During a bilateral interaction on the sidelines of the SCO Summit, cameras captured Sharif visibly struggling with his headset, unable to fix it properly despite multiple attempts. As the headset repeatedly slipped off, President Putin looked on with amusement, even lifting his own device at one point to demonstrate how to wear it correctly.

The Russian leader’s chuckles were evident, and the moment turned into an internet sensation within hours. For many observers, it became yet another reminder of Sharif’s recurring struggles with translation devices during international summits.

A Repeat of 2022

This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. In 2022, at the SCO Summit in Uzbekistan, Sharif was caught on camera grappling with his translation headset while sitting beside Putin. That clip also went viral at the time, with many noting his nervousness in the presence of the Russian leader.

The déjà vu of 2025 reminded netizens of the 2022 mishap, leading to comments like, “Again and again!?” and “Putin teaching him how to put. Lol.”

Social Media Reaction

As soon as the 2025 video surfaced, social media platforms were flooded with reactions. Some users mocked the Pakistani PM’s repeated awkwardness:

• “When you try to plug into world politics but even the headphones won’t cooperate…”

• “International Bezzati.”

• “Why does he always get so nervous in front of Putin?”

• “Today again Putin laughed on Shahbaz Sharif as he was not able to fix his headphones. What a clown Shahbaz is.”

The incident quickly trended across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube, with several international media outlets amplifying the clip.

Past Embarrassments

Apart from the headphone blunders, Sharif has faced similar awkward situations in the past. In one widely discussed moment at the SCO Summit, he attempted to shake hands hastily with Putin while the Russian leader was walking alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping. The awkward approach was caught on camera, and many claimed that Xi deliberately turned away, leaving Sharif embarrassed.

Such moments have frequently been highlighted online, with critics pointing to them as examples of diplomatic missteps that damage Pakistan’s image at international forums.

Importance of SCO and Diplomatic Optics

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a major multilateral platform that brings together China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Central Asian states, among others. For leaders like Sharif, summits like these are critical opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties, attract investments, and showcase leadership on the global stage.

However, optics matter significantly in such settings, where every handshake, smile, and slip-up is scrutinized by global media. Sharif’s repeated headphone mishaps have thus become a source of ridicule that overshadows the substance of his diplomatic engagements.

Memes and Mockery

In today’s digital era, leaders are not only judged by their policies but also by how they present themselves in public. Sharif’s struggle with something as simple as headphones has become meme material, with captions like:

• “Sharif vs. Technology – 0:2.”

• “When even headphones reject you at global summits.”

• “Putin’s laugh says it all.”

Such ridicule often fuels political debates back home in Pakistan, where opposition leaders seize the opportunity to criticize Sharif’s competence and international presence.

A Pattern of Nervousness?

Observers note that Sharif often appears uneasy in high-pressure diplomatic situations, particularly when seated next to influential leaders like Putin. Whether it is due to technical confusion, nervousness, or lack of preparation, these minor fumbles quickly escalate into viral embarrassments, magnified by the global spotlight.

Broader Implications

While the incident itself may seem trivial, it reflects how soft power and image-building play a vital role in international diplomacy. For Pakistan, a country already facing economic challenges, political instability, and foreign policy complexities, such viral embarrassments only add to the perception problem.

Instead of showcasing Pakistan’s role in addressing key issues at the SCO—such as regional security, economic cooperation, and technological advancement—the focus shifts to Sharif’s repeated gaffes.

Conclusion

The Shehbaz Sharif headphone fumble at the SCO Summit 2025 may have lasted only a few seconds, but its impact has been amplified globally, much like his 2022 incident. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, it was a moment of laughter, but for Pakistan, it has once again raised uncomfortable questions about the preparedness and presentation of its leadership on the world stage.

In the end, the moment will likely be remembered not for the diplomatic outcomes of the SCO Summit 2025, but for yet another viral video of the Pakistani Prime Minister struggling with technology—cementing a pattern that critics have been quick to mock.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Taurian MPS, Jay Ambe Supermarkets, Krupalu Metals, Urban Company, Shringar House of Mangalsutra, Vashishtha Luxury Fashion, Karbonsteel Engineering, Sharvaya Metals, Vigor Plast India.

The Current active IPO are Austere Systems, Optivalue Tek Consulting, Goel Construction Company, Amanta Healthcare, Rachit Prints.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.