‘Powerful optics’: China’s Xi to welcome Putin, Modi in grand show of solidarity | Reuters

3 comments

1. SS: Summary of the Article:

   Chinese President Xi Jinping will host over 20 world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, 2025. The event aims to project Global South solidarity amid geopolitical tensions and Western pressure, particularly on Russia and China.

   Key points:

   Optics Over Substance: Analysts believe the summit is more about symbolism and narrative-building against U.S. influence rather than concrete outcomes.

   India-China Dynamics: Modi’s first visit to China in seven years signals efforts to ease tensions after 2020 border clashes. Xi and Modi may discuss incremental steps like troop withdrawals, easing trade/visa rules, and new cooperation areas (e.g., climate).

   Russia’s Role: Putin’s attendance highlights Russia’s continued diplomatic outreach despite sanctions; he will also stay for a World War II military parade in Beijing.

   SCO Expansion: The bloc, now 10 members with 16 observer states, has grown beyond security to economic and military cooperation, but its effectiveness remains limited.

   Frictions: India-Pakistan tensions persist; India blocked SCO’s joint statement earlier and avoided condemning Israel over Iran attacks. Still, analysts expect India to focus on pragmatic engagement due to tariff pressure from the U.S.

   Analyst View: The summit is seen as China showcasing leadership in building a post-American international order and rallying Global South partners.

2. Trump has wasted the effort of decades by instigating India. There was an effort from all previous presidents to use or lure India to counter China. Trump has wasted all of that.

   I personally see, Trump breaking decades long good relationship with india, is equivalent to Joffrey ordering the execution of Ned Stark. Absolutely foolish act leading to unwanted chaos.

3. India has long played the spoiler in BRICs and worked to prevent the organization from developing alternatives to the US. All the fears about India suddenly losing faith or trust in the US are overblown. It’s not friendship that ties the two together but India’s heavy dependence on the US/US-led systems for its own development; there is no alternative for India as they see and portray China as their main opposition (and I doubt China will forget that). At the end of the day, it’s just optics for India and China in any rapprochement that they do. The US can rest comfortably knowing India will eventually have to come back around either publicly or quietly.

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