“Handshake Diplomacy : Modi, Putin, Xi and the U.S. Effect”

Power dynamics at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization highlight new alliances and shifting global order

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“Handshake Diplomacy : Modi, Putin, Xi and the U.S. Effect” The recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit was as much about symbolism as substance. Against the backdrop of rising global uncertainty, the warm smiles and strategic handshakes among Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Vladimir Putin, and President Xi Jinping spoke volumes about the fluid power dynamics shaping international affairs.

Dr. Namrata Mishra Tiwari, Editor IndiaInput.

For Washington, the optics were hard to ignore. The presence of three of the world’s most consequential leaders under the SCO umbrella projected a vision of multipolarity that runs counter to the long-standing U.S.-led order. While the summit was careful to avoid overtly anti-Western rhetoric, the subtle choreography of cooperation hinted at alternative pathways of global governance.

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) tweets on ‘X’ ! September 1, 2025

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#VideoOfTheDay

🇷🇺🇮🇳🇨🇳 President of Russia Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, and President of China Xi Jinping just before the start of the #SCO Summit

📹 © https://t.co/1iwVtSG6SN pic.twitter.com/o1rqQWYhT7

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) September 1, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin leveraged the summit to showcase Russia’s resilience in the face of Western sanctions and diplomatic isolation. By reaffirming partnerships within the SCO, Moscow sought to underline that it is not without allies and remains central to Eurasian geopolitics.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) tweets on ‘X’ ! August 31, 2025

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Had a fruitful meeting with President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. We reviewed the positive momentum in India-China relations since our last meeting in Kazan. We agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas and… pic.twitter.com/HBYS5lhe9d

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping, meanwhile, used the platform to highlight China’s role as an engine of connectivity and trade, tying SCO initiatives with the broader Belt and Road vision.

— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) tweets on ‘X’ ! August 31, 2025

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#XiJinping meets Modi: China and India are cooperation partners, not rivals #SCO2025 pic.twitter.com/UZRckUg6IF

— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) August 31, 2025

For Beijing, the summit was an opportunity to expand influence while positioning itself as a responsible counterweight to Western dominance.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) tweets on ‘X’ ! September 1, 2025

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Had an excellent meeting with President Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin. Discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in all sectors, including trade, fertilisers, space, security and culture. We exchanged views on regional and global developments, including… pic.twitter.com/DhTyqOysbf

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2025

Indian Prime Minister Shree Narendra Modi’s balancing act was perhaps the most intriguing. India’s participation reinforced its commitment to Eurasian engagement, but New Delhi carefully navigated its relations with both Washington and Moscow. Modi’s body language with Putin reflected longstanding defense and energy ties, while his interactions with Xi remained measured, underscoring ongoing tensions along the India-China border.

— RT (@RT_com) tweets on ‘X’ ! September 1, 2025

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BREAKING: Modi pulls Putin and Xi together, locking hands in a show of unity at China’s SCO summit pic.twitter.com/fTeRy5tSid

— RT (@RT_com) September 1, 2025

The SCO, in this context, becomes a diplomatic stage for both cooperation and competition. While the handshakes conveyed unity, the underlying rivalries—India versus China, Russia’s dependence on Beijing, and Pakistan’s shadow presence—reveal the complexities of the forum. India blocks Azerbaijan’s bid for full membership in SCO.

“Handshake Diplomacy

For Washington, the “Xi-Putin-Modi effect” lies in the SCO’s ability to project a narrative of alternatives. Even if unity within the bloc is imperfect, the summit signals that global leadership is no longer a monopoly. The smiles and handshakes may be diplomatic theater, but the power plays behind them carry real implications for the future of the international order.

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