This really choreographed geopolitical display brought together leaders like Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin at the 2025 SCO Summit at Tianjin. The Prime Minister of India used the occasion of the summit to affirm national interests, strategic autonomy, call out terrorism, and position India as a bridge in a multipolar world. Amidst the optics of unity, the summit veiled a complex reality: can India really balance between China and Russia? Let us deep-dive into how Modi’s subtle diplomacy at the 2025 SCO Summit defined India’s global posture and its implications for India’s soft power and strategic interests.
That Balance Begins to Take Shape
At Tianjin, Modi had appeared alongside Xi and Putin during ceremonies in the name of unity, but under the surface, the intentions were quite different. China promoted the doctrine of a multipolar world and also proposed new institutions such as a new development bank and platforms for AI-led cooperation. Putin syndicated calls for multilateralism and anti-sanctions rhetoric. Modi responded by advocating “Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity” as the essence of India’s engagement principles.
Rejecting Double Standards on Terrorism
At the SCO summit, Modi described terrorism as an existential threat and spoke on double standards. India, unlike many SCO members, refused to endorse some parts of the joint declaration, especially regarding China’s Belt and Road Initiative, on grounds of sovereignty, particularly concerning CPEC. This signaled India’s insistence on principle rather than mere optics and its unwillingness to be swept into a consensus that compromises national interests.
Strategic Autonomy in Action
Alternatively, New Delhi used the occasion to stress its strategic autonomy. The timing—just after Modi’s recent US visit—showed that India cannot be said to be tethered exclusively to the West. Modi’s insistence that India acts on its own terms has sent a clear message to rival powers as well as to partners. Some experts affirm that the imposition of tariffs by Trump drew India closer to the SCO, thereby giving New Delhi alternate economic and diplomatic channels. Yet, while India tries to hold on to long-standing issues with China like border clashes, trust deficit, and doubts, it remains rather stout with diplomacy that is more hedging than alignment.
India’s Vision of Connectivity and Technology
Modi pitched futuristic, positive themes consisting of digital innovation, supply-chain resilience, traditional medicine, and food security (mainly millet promotion). He envisioned SCO as a platform for more than defense cooperation—technological collaboration, economic connectivity, and human-centered development. India emphasized building regional supply chains and innovation ecosystems that pay off for ordinary citizens rather than elites.
Symbolism and Diplomacy: Visuals Matter
Photographs from the summit captured warmth between Modi, Xi, and Putin—walking hand-in-hand ahead of Xi’s address—whereas Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif stood on the sidelines, a subtle yet telling contrast.
India leveraged symbolism: signaling closeness to major powers while sidelining adversaries or diplomatic distractions. These visuals go viral in India, drawing public attention and reaffirming Modi’s image as a statesman.
Implications for Indian Audiences
For Indian readers, the summit reinforced India’s presence on the stage of world affairs. Modi used diplomatic theatre certainly not to affiliate India with any camps but to demonstrate India’s ability to frame global discourse. Signaling to corporates and citizens that India’s foreign policy is truly about advancement, sovereignty, and the search for other avenues for prosperity. The tightrope walk in diplomacy also says this: India is willing to work with the world, but strictly on its terms. It is a message at home that fosters national pride, while globally, it has the effect of making an international audience reckon with India’s emergence as a strategic player.
Conclusion
True power blossomed at the SCO Summit 2025, showcasing India’s sovereignty, innovation, and significance in the world. Modi demonstrated an easy touch: standing with Xi and Putin when needed, yet speaking lucidly when interests diverged. His set of solutions for Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity serves as a credible choice for India in a fractured world. As the flux increases, measured diplomacy from New Delhi may become its strongest weapon yet.