Cold war reunion? What Xi, Putin, Kim and Modi really signaled

Sep 03, 2025 - 09:52

At Tianjin’s SCO summit, Putin, Xi, and Modi shared a viral moment of laughter—yet body language told another story. Modi extended a handshake, but Xi turned away, signaling tension even as state media hyped a “Dragon–Elephant dance.” Modi’s visit came under U.S. tariff pressure, but India cannot afford dependence on Beijing. Putin arrived for a rare four-day trip, seeking lifelines as Russia’s trade with China falters. Kim Jong Un made his first China visit since 2019, bringing his daughter as successor and receiving top-level honors. Together, Xi, Putin, Kim, and Modi highlight both spectacle and strain in Beijing’s orbit.