Modi, Xi, Putin Share Handshake at Bishkek SCO Summit Amid India-China Diplomatic Moves

Modi, Xi, Putin Share Handshake at Bishkek SCO Summit Amid India-China Diplomatic Moves

BISHKEK — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping shared a brief handshake ahead of the family photograph during the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, with Russian President Vladimir Putin joining the interaction, according to reports from ANI and India Today.

The moment came as world leaders gathered for the annual summit, set against a backdrop of ongoing diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Beijing. The handshake occurred as leaders prepared for the traditional group photograph, with Putin present during the exchange.

Diplomatic Context

The interaction follows a series of recent diplomatic steps between India and China. According to ANI, PM Modi in 2025 extended an invitation to President Xi to attend the BRICS Summit that India will host later this month. President Xi reportedly thanked PM Modi for the invitation and offered China's support for India's BRICS Presidency.

India Today noted that the handshake in Bishkek recalled a similar moment at the 25th SCO Summit in China last year, where Modi, Xi, and Putin were seen in a prolonged interaction marked by handshakes and conversation. The latest encounter, however, came without a confirmed one-on-one meeting between Modi and Xi on the sidelines of the current summit, the report said. PM Modi and Putin had met one-on-one on Monday, the day before the handshake.

Border Agreement Context

The leaders' interaction follows a significant India-China agreement announced on August 26. According to ANI, India and China agreed to establish two additional meeting points for the General Level Meeting (GLM) and the Senior Military Commander Meeting (SMCM), as well as two new channels of border military hotline in the Eastern and Middle Sectors.

The agreement was among the outcomes of the 25th round of Special Representatives' Talks, co-chaired by India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. The results were formalised in the document known as the 'Eight Points of Outcomes and Consensus' from those talks.

BRICS Invitation and Multilateral Platforms

Central to the diplomatic context is PM Modi's invitation to President Xi to attend the BRICS Summit, which India is set to host later this month. Reports indicate Xi thanked Modi for the invitation and expressed China's support for India's BRICS Presidency.

The interaction at the SCO Summit comes as both nations continue to use multilateral forums as venues for engagement. Zhao Yunfei, a journalist with China Global Television Network (CGTN), commented on the significance of such platforms for India-China relations.

"I think it has created multiple occasions for the two presidents to get a chance to meet," Zhao said. "This would be really good for the relationship between China and India because we are neighbouring countries. China has always attached importance to its neighbours because we are neighbours, and then we have to settle all the differences as well as pursue the common ground all together to pursue the common wealth of the people in the region."

Zhao added: "So, the SCO has really provided a platform; hopefully, BRICS will also provide a good platform for both sides."

Journalist's Comments on Leaders' Meetings

When asked about the agenda regarding the 2026 BRICS Summit, Zhao said he did not have specific information on the Chinese President's schedule regarding the event. He noted, however, that multilateral forums like the SCO and BRICS create opportunities for leaders of the two countries to meet and engage.

Warm Exchanges at the Summit

India Today's coverage noted the visual warmth of the leaders' interaction at Bishkek. Beyond the handshake with Xi, PM Modi also engaged with Putin during the summit events. The Kremlin-published video of the interaction described the moment as the three leaders sharing a handshake, with the Russian President joining the India-China exchange.

The Bishkek summit interaction follows a pattern of engagements between the Indian and Chinese leaders at multilateral gatherings. At last year's SCO Summit, Modi and Xi were seen in an extended conversation marked by handshakes and laughter, lasting nearly a minute and a half, according to visual reports.

Border Diplomacy in Focus

The handshake comes against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to stabilise the India-China border situation. The recent Special Representatives' Talks in Beijing between Doval and Wang Yi were part of a process aimed at managing differences along the Line of Actual Control.

In addition to the new meeting points for the military commander-level talks elections and the additional hotline channels, the two sides have continued discussions on disengagement and de-escalation in remaining friction areas along the border.

A Busy Diplomatic Season

The Bishkek summit interaction precedes what is expected to be a significant diplomatic period for India. New Delhi is preparing to host the BRICS Summit later this month, with the SCO set to continue its own engagements. The leaders' presence at the Bishkek gathering provided an opportunity for informal contacts among heads of state from member countries, including India, China, Russia, and other Central Asian nations.

India's relationship with China has been closely watched since the border clashes of 2020, which led to a freeze in several areas of bilateral engagement. Diplomatic and military talks have continued since then, with the recent agreement on additional meeting points and hotlines seen as a step towards maintaining communication channels along the border.

Meanwhile, Modi's relationship with the Russian leadership has remained warm throughout, with regular bilateral meetings on the sidelines of multilateral summits. The three leaders' shared moment at the family photograph has been noted by observers as part of the broader dynamics among the major powers attending the SCO gathering.

Looking Ahead

The SCO Summit in Bishkek brings together leaders from member states including India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and the Central Asian republics. The event provides a platform for bilateral and multilateral discussions on security, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity.

With India scheduled to host the BRICS Summit later this month, the invitation extended to President Xi and the interactions at the SCO have set the stage for further diplomatic engagement between the two Asian neighbours. The additional mechanisms agreed upon during the Special Representatives' Talks — including the new military commander meeting points and hotline channels — indicate continued efforts to manage the border situation while pursuing dialogue through regional forums.

Both the handshake at Bishkek and the recent diplomatic exchanges point to a calibrated approach by both capitals, using multilateral settings to maintain communication channels even as border issues remain under discussion.