Three major world powers – China, India and Russia – all with various frictions with the United States, projected an image of solidarity on Monday in front of the international media during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin.
During his first visit to China in seven years, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the hands of his counterparts – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping – and pulled them closer.
As the three leaders mingled, one interpreter translated Putin’s words, which began with “We three friends …”, before a broadcast signal provided by the summit press centre drowned out the rest of the translation.
Modi laughed several times during the conversation and clasped Putin’s hands a second time.
Earlier, Modi and Putin embraced on the red carpet and exchanged greetings before walking hand in hand towards a smiling Xi, who was waiting to greet them.
