Tianjin (China): A brief moment at the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China’s Tianjin drew attention on Monday when Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was seen looking on as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin walked past him.
The scene unfolded on the sidelines of the Summit as leaders gathered for the ceremonial proceedings.
PM Modi and Putin walked together, engaging in conversation, while Sharif, standing nearby, observed the two leaders pass, a video widely shared on social media showed.
Later, in an X post, PM Modi also shared a picture of leaders posing at the summit, which showed him and Sharif standing at different corners.
At the summit, PM Modi, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping were also seen sharing a light moment, chatting and posing together.
Later, PM Modi and Putin also exchanged a warm hug ahead of their formal engagements.
The Tianjin SCO Summit formally kicked off on Sunday evening with a massive banquet hosted by Xi, which was attended, among others, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin.
This year’s summit was stated to be the largest 10-member SCO group as China, which holds the Presidency of the organisation this year, has invited 20 foreign leaders and 10 heads of international organisations, including the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
In his welcome banquet address, Xi said the SCO bears greater responsibilities in safeguarding regional peace and stability, and for boosting the development of various countries in a world of increasing uncertainties and accelerated changes.
Addressing the banquet, Xi expressed confidence that with concerted efforts of all parties, the summit will be a complete success, and that the SCO is certain to play an even bigger role and achieve more progress, making a greater contribution to boosting the unity and cooperation among member states, pooling the strength of the Global South and pushing for more progress of human civilisation.
Founded in Shanghai in June 2001, the SCO has expanded from six founding members into a 26-nation family of 10 members, two observers and 14 dialogue partners spanning Asia, Europe and Africa.
