Exchanging perspectives: Modi interacts with Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin at SCO Summit in China

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Heads of State Council Summit in Tianjin, in a display of ties among the three leaders as Washington imposed tariffs on New Delhi.
Sharing the image of the huddle on his X page, Modi wrote: "Interactions in Tianjin continue! Exchanging perspectives with President Putin and President Xi during the SCO Summit."
Interactions in Tianjin continue! Exchanging perspectives with President Putin and President Xi during the SCO Summit. pic.twitter.com/K1eKVoHCvv
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2025
In another image, Modi could be seen sharing a hug and a handshake with Putin.
In his X post, he said, "Always a delight to meet President Putin!"
Always a delight to meet President Putin! pic.twitter.com/XtDSyWEmtw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2025
He is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Putin on Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on Sunday and said he is "committed" to taking India-China relations "forward based on mutual trust, respect and sensitivity".
PM Modi and Xi met on the sidelines of the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit that begins on Sunday.
During the meeting, PM Modi also said an "atmosphere of peace and stability" has been created after the disengagement on the border.
"Last year in Kazan, we had very fruitful discussions, which gave a positive direction to our relations. After the disengagement on the border, an atmosphere of peace and stability has been created," he said.
"The interests of 2.8 billion people of both countries are linked to our cooperation. This will also pave the way for the welfare of the entire humanity," he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Indian PM Narendra Modi in Tianjin on Sunday, when he said the two neighbours are each other's development partners rather than threats.
Modi arrived in China after seven years to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting, also attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
They should become good-neighbourly friends and partners who help each other succeed. A 'cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant' should be the right choice for the two countries, Xi was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
SCO Meeting amid Trump tariff imposition
Twenty foreign leaders are attending the SCO summit being organised by China.
The 10-member bloc comprises Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus and China.
The SCO Summit is also taking place as India navigates global economic and geopolitical turbulence over Russia's war on Ukraine, Israel's war on Gaza, and the United States' 50 percent tariff on Indian goods exported to that country.