Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping exchanged greetings before the SCO group photograph. Shehbaz Sharif later approached Vladimir Putin for a brief conversation as the Russian president left the podium.

Brief interactions among Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif drew attention during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek on Tuesday.

Modi and Xi were seen shaking hands and exchanging a few words as participating leaders assembled for the formal group photograph. Their interaction was brief, but it attracted interest because of the complex relationship between India and China and continuing efforts to maintain diplomatic engagement.

Another moment unfolded immediately after the photograph when Sharif approached Putin as the Russian leader was leaving the podium. Video from the event appeared to show the Pakistan prime minister taking Putin’s hand to stop him before beginning a short conversation.

The exchanges offered no immediate indication of new agreements. However, they highlighted the informal diplomacy that often takes place around major multilateral gatherings, where handshakes and unscheduled conversations can become politically significant.

Modi and Xi shook hands and spoke briefly before joining other leaders for the summit photograph. No detailed account of their exchange was immediately released, and the interaction appeared to be an informal greeting rather than a scheduled bilateral meeting.

Even so, encounters between the Indian and Chinese leaders are closely watched because relations have been affected by border tensions, trade concerns and wider regional competition. Their public greeting offered a visible moment of engagement on the sidelines of a platform that includes several major Eurasian powers.

The summit took place as the SCO marked an important phase in its development, with security cooperation, regional connectivity and economic coordination among the subjects expected to shape the discussions. Official SCO material confirmed that the Council of Heads of State meeting was scheduled in Bishkek on September 1.

Sharif was seen moving towards Putin shortly after the leaders completed the group photograph. As Putin walked away from the podium, the Pakistan prime minister appeared to hold his hand briefly and initiate a conversation.

The exchange lasted only a short time, and neither side immediately disclosed what was discussed. Without an official statement, the subject and diplomatic significance of the conversation remain unclear.

The moment nevertheless attracted attention because it involved the leaders of Pakistan and Russia at a summit where numerous bilateral and regional relationships were under scrutiny. Such unscheduled interactions can provide opportunities to exchange greetings, raise an issue quickly or arrange more detailed discussions.

It would be premature to draw conclusions from the leaders’ gestures alone. The available footage confirms the interaction but does not establish whether any substantive matter was discussed.

Before the formal photograph, Modi and Putin also exchanged greetings. Their meeting followed bilateral talks in Bishkek on Monday, during which the two leaders reviewed India-Russia cooperation and discussed the continuing Russia-Ukraine war.

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the talks covered trade, investment, energy and fertiliser security. Modi also said he looked forward to welcoming Putin to India for the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled for September 12 and 13, 2026.

Modi called for movement towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict, arguing that prolonged warfare harms humanity while steps towards peace create hope. India has repeatedly advocated dialogue and diplomacy while maintaining its longstanding relationship with Russia.

Television footage also showed Modi and Putin travelling together in the Russian president’s limousine to the World Nomad Games venue, adding another visible sign of their diplomatic engagement during the visit.

Modi was also seen greeting Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and sharing a warm interaction with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the summit proceedings.

These exchanges demonstrated how multilateral meetings operate beyond formal speeches and scheduled sessions. Leaders use group photographs, ceremonial events and movement between venues to hold brief conversations that may reinforce existing ties or open the door to future talks.

The Bishkek summit brought together leaders from countries with overlapping interests and significant disagreements. India is seeking to balance its relationships with Russia, China, Iran, Central Asian countries and Western partners while prioritising security, trade, energy and connectivity.

The Modi-Xi handshake, Sharif-Putin conversation and Modi-Putin engagement did not by themselves signal major diplomatic breakthroughs. Yet each moment reflected the value leaders place on direct contact at a time of global conflict, strategic competition and changing regional partnerships.