Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were seen together at the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Tuesday.
The four leaders appeared in the same frame as heads of state gathered for the summit’s official group photograph at the Yrys Ordo Congress Hall.
Modi was also seen briefly exchanging words with Xi and Putin as the leaders posed for the family photograph, adding a notable moment to the high-profile diplomatic gathering.
Modi, Xi, Putin and Shehbaz Sharif at SCO Summit
The gathering brought together leaders from the SCO’s member states amid heightened geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov, who is hosting the summit and currently chairs the SCO, led the discussions.
Alongside Modi, Xi, Putin and Shehbaz Sharif, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon attended the summit.
The leaders discussed regional security, economic cooperation, connectivity and other issues affecting the wider region.
PM Modi meets Putin, Pezeshkian
The SCO Summit came shortly after Modi held separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
During his meeting with Putin, Modi stressed India’s support for efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. He said there was a need to move from an “endless war” towards an “end of war”.
Putin responded that Russia was moving in that direction and thanked Modi for his personal role in strengthening India-Russia relations.
Modi also met Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the summit. The meeting marked their first reported interaction in two years.
SCO Summit amid global tensions
The 26th SCO Leadership Summit has brought together representatives from 10 member states, 15 partner countries and two observer countries.
The organisation focuses on strengthening dialogue, mutual trust, good-neighbourliness and cooperation among its members.
The SCO’s membership includes India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The appearance of Modi, Xi, Putin and Shehbaz Sharif together comes against the backdrop of strained geopolitical relations and ongoing discussions over regional security, connectivity and economic cooperation.
