Tianjin, China | September 1, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the plenary session of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin today, marking a pivotal moment in regional diplomacy.
On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold a high-profile bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The discussions come amid rising trade tensions with Washington, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose steep 50 percent tariffs on Indian exports—the highest across Asia—in response to New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian crude oil.
Earlier, on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both leaders emphasised the importance of deepening cooperation and committed to addressing longstanding boundary issues, underscoring Modi’s first visit to China since the 2020 border clashes that strained bilateral ties.
A brief but widely circulated moment from Monday’s proceedings drew attention when Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was seen watching as Modi and Putin walked past him, conversing closely. A video of the incident, now viral on social media, captured the scene on the sidelines of the ceremonial gathering. Later, Modi posted a group photograph of summit leaders on X, notably showing him and Sharif positioned at opposite ends. The Indian and Russian leaders were also seen sharing a warm embrace ahead of their formal engagements.
This year’s SCO summit is the largest in the organisation’s history. Under China’s presidency, the gathering has brought together leaders from 20 foreign nations and 10 heads of international organisations, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
Welcoming the delegates at a banquet, President Xi highlighted the SCO’s growing responsibilities in safeguarding regional peace, ensuring stability, and driving development amid global uncertainties. He expressed confidence that the summit would strengthen unity among member states, advance the role of the Global South, and contribute meaningfully to human progress.
Founded in June 2001 in Shanghai, the SCO has grown from six founding members into a 26-nation grouping comprising 10 full members, two observers, and 14 dialogue partners spanning Asia, Europe, and Africa. With major economies such as China, Russia, and India among its members, the SCO today represents nearly half of the world’s population and a quarter of global GDP.
The Tianjin summit is set to adopt key policy documents, including a strategic roadmap for the organisation’s development over the next decade, solidifying its position as a central platform for regional cooperation and dialogue.
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