Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handshake with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the SCO Summit in Bishkek may have lasted only seconds, but its geopolitical significance is much larger.
The optics come amid global conflicts, India’s push for multi-alignment and its consistent emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy. The moment also comes ahead of the BRICS Summit in Delhi, where Modi, Putin and other major emerging powers are expected to once again shape discussions on global security, trade and the evolving world order.
NDTV Managing Editor Shiv Aroor decodes the symbolism of the Modi-Putin-Xi moment, India’s delicate relationship with China and Russia, and what the handshake could signal ahead of the crucial BRICS meeting.
