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Politics,India,Beijing,Foreign policy,Xi Jinping,Vladimir Putin,United States,Donald Trump,China,Narendra Modi,business news,algofusionaiAt first glance, it looks like three powerful leaders enjoying a light moment. But behind the smiles lie serious tensions and competing interests.
India and China are still locked in a border dispute since the 2020 clashes.
China’s close ties with Pakistan limit how much New Delhi and Beijing can cooperate.
Russia is using the SCO to show it still has strong Asian partners despite Western sanctions.
China sees the summit as a chance to strengthen its role in the Global South, especially as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs disrupt global trade.
Former Indian ambassador Gautam Bambawale summed it up: “The dragon and the elephant are not dancing yet. They’re still sizing each other up.”
The SCO is growing in size but not always in influence. Experts note it rarely plays a direct role in major conflicts like Ukraine or Gaza.
Trump’s new tariff moves gave China the opportunity to present itself as a “reliable partner” to developing nations.
For India, the photo sends a subtle message to Washington: while New Delhi is deepening ties with the U.S. and allies, it will still engage with Moscow and Beijing when it suits its interests.
The summit was also about multipolarity — a world where no single country dominates.
For China, multipolarity means reducing U.S. power so it can take the lead in Asia.
For India, it means spreading influence across many nations to keep balance.
For Russia, the SCO is one of the few platforms where Putin is welcomed, showing Moscow still matters in Asian diplomacy.
That one smiling photo tells a complicated story. Modi, Xi, and Putin may look friendly, but the reality is full of strategic calculations, rivalries, and shifting alliances.
For investors and policymakers, the summit highlights how Asia’s big three powers are navigating trade wars, security concerns, and a changing global order.