Image Source: Agencies

Tianjin (China), Sept 1, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and President Xi Jinping of China had a lighthearted moment prior to the plenary session of the SCO Summit in Tianjin.

In a pull-apart, the leaders were seen talking and having discussions. After giving each other a warm hug, Prime Minister Modi and President Putin made their way to the stage for a family picture with the SCO members. Prior to their bilateral meeting, which is scheduled to take place following the plenary session, Prime Minister Modi and President Putin had a conversation. "Prime Minister will be addressing the plenary session of the Summit, where he will outline India's approach to fostering regional cooperation under the SCO umbrella.

After this engagement, he is scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, following which he will depart for India," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Sunday.

PM Modi held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO leaders' summit, during which both leaders welcomed the positive momentum and steady progress in bilateral relations since their last meeting in Kazan on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in October 2024.

Both called for a stable relationship and cooperation between India and China based on mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity—necessary for the growth and development of the two countries, as well as for a multipolar world and a multipolar Asia fitting the trends of the 21st century—and reaffirmed that the two countries were development partners rather than rivals. The Prime Minister also underlined the importance of peace and tranquility in the border areas for the continued development of bilateral relations.

There are ten members of the SCO. In addition to India, they include Belarus, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Additionally, there are a number of dialogue partners and observers. India has been an observer of the SCO since 2005, but it became a member in 2017. India presided over the SCO Council of Heads of Government in 2020 and the SCO Council of Heads of State from 2022 to 2023 while it was a member.