The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, held from 31 August to 1 September, drew global attention as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Russian President Vladimir Putin were photographed together.

The image, captured on 1 September, quickly went viral, symbolizing apparent unity between the three leaders. Yet analysts say the symbolism masks deep rivalries and complex power shifts.

For Modi, the visit carried particular weight. It was his first trip to China in seven years, following a border freeze since the deadly clashes in June 2020. His appearance in Tianjin came just days after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports on 27 August, citing New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil and military equipment.

Before heading to China, Modi stopped in Tokyo on 30 August, f...