At the SCO Summit 2025, Modi and Putin walked with confidence, Xi joined for laughs, while Sharif’s awkward silence stole meme-makers’ hearts.
The Walk That Launched a Thousand Memes
Because every summit needs that one viral clip — and this time, Shehbaz Sharif kindly volunteered.
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025 in Tianjin, all eyes were on the grand red carpet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Russian President Vladimir Putin, chatting like two old college buddies reminiscing about who borrowed whose notes. Chinese President Xi Jinping soon joined, flashing his trademark calm smile, as if saying, “Yes, gentlemen, this is the real group project team.”
And where was Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif? Standing awkwardly to the side, like the classmate who wasn’t invited to the group project but still showed up with a pen.
Modi and Putin: Bros on the Global Block
Let’s be honest — the chemistry between Modi and Putin at the summit was so natural, Netflix could sign them up for a buddy-comedy series tomorrow. They strolled together, exchanged warm words, and even shared a friendly hug. Modi later posted on X, calling the interaction with Putin “always a delight.”
For global watchers, this wasn’t just optics. It signaled the deepening India-Russia bond, with both leaders reinforcing their roles as steady partners. In a summit dominated by talk of regional stability, global multipolarity, and economic cooperation (classic SCO bingo card), the personal rapport between Modi and Putin stood out.
As BBC noted in its coverage, global forums often thrive on symbolism, and in Tianjin, Modi and Putin delivered it with confidence.
Xi Jinping Joins the Banter
Chinese President Xi Jinping, no stranger to heavyweight diplomacy, slid into the frame smoothly. There were smiles, handshakes, and light chatter — the kind of camaraderie you’d expect from leaders managing half the world’s population.
Together, the Modi-Putin-Xi trio looked like the summit’s main event, while other leaders — including Sharif — risked being relegated to background extras.
The trio’s bonding also underscored the shifting equations of global power. With China hosting the summit and India asserting itself with newfound confidence, the SCO looked less like a formal conference and more like a stage where Asia’s powerhouses casually flexed their muscles.
Sharif’s Silent Stumble
Ah, but here’s where the internet found its hero. Or villain. Or meme template.
A short clip showed Shehbaz Sharif standing silently as Modi and Putin walked past, engaged in conversation. His body language screamed “third wheel at the party.” The internet, being the internet, did not let this pass. Memes poured in faster than breaking news alerts.
One user captioned it: “Sharif waiting for his WiFi to connect while Modi and Putin stream in 4K.” Another quipped: “Main bhi hoon yaar!”
Even Indian netizens turned the clip into a symbol of how India’s stature is growing, while Pakistan looks increasingly sidelined on the global stage.
The Serious Backdrop: Strained India-Pakistan Ties
Behind the memes lies a serious reality. India-Pakistan relations remain tense, particularly after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists. India responded with Operation Sindoor, a series of strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK.
While Pakistan denied involvement, global powers largely supported India’s right to self-defense. At the SCO, this diplomatic shadow loomed large. Modi’s confident optics with Putin and Xi reinforced India’s growing influence, while Sharif’s awkward presence symbolized Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation.
As The Hindu highlighted in its coverage, India’s global posture today reflects both resilience and rising clout.
Optics Matter, and India Knows It
In international politics, visuals often matter as much as words. The image of Modi striding confidently with Putin and sharing light moments with Xi was enough to dominate headlines and social media feeds.
India’s message was clear: We’re not just participants at global forums, we’re at the center of the action.
Pakistan’s message, unfortunately: We’re here too, please notice us.
At SCO 2025, Modi walked the talk, Putin matched the stride, Xi smiled for the cameras — and Sharif? He walked into meme history.
Why This Moment Matters for India
- Symbolism of Power: Modi’s confident stride with Putin and Xi reinforced India’s image as a rising power.
- India-Russia Comfort Zone: The easy rapport highlighted the trust and continuity in ties despite global shifts.
- China’s Balancing Act: Xi’s inclusion symbolized cooperation, even amid India-China competition.
- Pakistan’s Struggles: Sharif’s awkward optics amplified Pakistan’s diplomatic challenges.
The Social Media Storm
Of course, no geopolitical summit is complete without its meme-fest. Within hours, #SCO2025 and #Sharif trended across platforms. Cartoons, GIFs, and edits flooded timelines.
In the age of optics, being left out of the main frame is a diplomatic nightmare. And Sharif, despite all efforts, became the face of that nightmare.
Global diplomacy can be complicated, but memes? Those are universal. What do you think — was this India’s big power move at SCO 2025, or just perfect meme fuel? Share your thoughts, spread the laughter, and don’t forget to check out our related post:
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