PM Modi greeted Putin and Xi warmly at the SCO Summit 2025 in Tianjin, but Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was mocked online for an uncomfortable handshake.
A story about diplomacy, optics, and online mockery.
PM Modi, Xi, and Putin stole the show at the SCO Summit, while Shehbaz Sharif faces online mockery.
A Summit of Contrasts
The Shanghai collaboration Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025 in Tianjin was meant to focus on multilateral collaboration, trade debates, and security plans.
Aside from the high-level diplomacy, what drew the world’s attention were a few viral moments—
some highlighting close connections, others sparking derision.
Modi’s Warm Exchanges with Putin and Xi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi entered the conference with confidence. Cameras recorded him heartily shaking hands with Vladimir Putin and even sharing a brief hug, indicating strong familiarity. Later, Modi was spotted speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and both leaders reiterated that India and China should be “partners, not rivals.”
For India, these moments carried diplomatic weight. They not only signaled a cautious restoration of India-China relations, but also a revived love for Russia, despite global tensions and ongoing Western sanctions.
Shehbaz Sharif’s Awkward Handshake Goes Viral
In contrast, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was trending online for the wrong reasons. A video of him racing toward Putin for a handshake while other leaders stayed composed went viral on social media.
Commentators mocked him for appearing “desperate for attention.” Some users even compared him to the “elaichi in biryani”—present, but largely ignored. The taunting intensified when another video showed Modi and Putin strolling past Sharif without acknowledgment, leaving him standing alone in the screen.
Internet users react with humor and sarcasm.
Memes went viral on Twitter and Instagram. One user wrote, “Sharif looks like he’s begging for dollars, not diplomacy.” Another quipped, “Putin ignored him like he wasn’t even there.”
This wasn’t the first time Sharif faced such moments at international events. From headphone blunders to misplaced gestures, critics argue that Pakistan’s leader often struggles with global optics—something that resonates loudly in today’s meme-driven age.
The Bigger Picture: Diplomacy Beyond Optics
While the memes went viral, the real summit carried serious weight. Modi and Xi talked about new flights, trade challenges, and ways to lessen border tensions. Putin used his platform to condemn Western countries while touting the SCO as a viable alternative to Western-led alliances.
Modi’s message was clear: India will not tolerate double standards on terrorism. This speech struck a deep chord, especially given the current situation of regional insecurity.
Pakistan’s Shrinking Spotlight
For Pakistan, the awkward videos tell a larger story. Once seen as a key regional actor, its diplomatic influence appears to be waning. Meanwhile, India demonstrated its confidence as a global actor by balancing relations with Russia, interacting cautiously with China, and being hard on terrorism.
Why It Matters
For India: The summit helped project Modi as a key statesman navigating
a complex world order.
For China: Xi used the stage to promote cooperation with India, even as rivalry lingers.
For Pakistan: The trolling and viral clips underline its diminishing presence on the global stage.
In the end, the SCO Summit 2025 was about more than speeches and signed papers. It emphasized the importance of body language, public perception, and the harsh spotlight of social media.