Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged a handshake and briefly interacted during the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek 2026 today.
Key takeaways
- Modi-Xi exchange: Modi and Xi were seen greeting each other, shaking hands and briefly conversing after the SCO leaders gathered for a group photograph.
- No formal bilateral reported: The interaction was informal and took place during the summit proceedings, rather than as a separately announced one-on-one meeting.
- Diplomatic significance: The encounter comes amid continuing efforts to improve India-China relations and wider diplomatic engagement at the SCO, where Modi is also holding meetings with other leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping were seen together during the summit proceedings after joining other heads of state for the official group photograph. They subsequently walked alongside each other and exchanged a handshake while moving towards the venue.
Modi-Xi interaction draws attention at SCO Summit
The brief encounter has attracted attention because it comes as India and China continue efforts to stabilise bilateral relations after years of tensions along the Line of Actual Control. Footage from the summit showed Modi and Xi engaging informally rather than holding a scheduled standalone bilateral meeting.
The interaction also brought back memories of the two leaders meeting at the previous SCO summit in Tianjin, China, in 2025. Their engagement at that summit had been closely watched as New Delhi and Beijing sought to reduce tensions and restore greater stability in bilateral ties.
No formal Modi-Xi bilateral meeting reported
At Bishkek, however, the Modi-Xi interaction remained brief. There was no immediate indication of a separate formal bilateral meeting between the Indian and Chinese leaders.
Modi has instead held a series of bilateral engagements with other leaders during his Kyrgyzstan visit, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
SCO Summit focuses on regional security and cooperation
The handshake took place as SCO leaders gathered for the summit, which is being hosted by Kyrgyzstan as the organisation marks 25 years since its establishment, newsonair reported.
The two-day gathering has brought together leaders from across Asia to discuss regional security, terrorism, trade, connectivity, energy and wider geopolitical developments.
The SCO currently has 10 full members: India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, while Iran joined in 2023 and Belarus followed in 2024.
India highlights security, connectivity and opportunity
For New Delhi, the Bishkek summit provides another opportunity to engage with major powers and Central Asian countries.
Modi has described India as an active and constructive member of the SCO since becoming a full member in 2017. Before his departure for the current two-nation tour, he said India would work within the grouping to advance a regional vision centred on security, connectivity and opportunity.
The Prime Minister has also stressed the need for stronger cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism. India has simultaneously advocated greater regional connectivity while maintaining that such projects should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of participating countries.
Modi holds multiple bilateral meetings in Bishkek
Modi reached Bishkek on Sunday after completing his engagements in Uzbekistan. He received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community in the Kyrgyz capital.
He later participated in the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games alongside other visiting leaders.
His schedule in Bishkek has included multiple high-level diplomatic engagements. During his meeting with Pezeshkian, Modi discussed India-Iran relations, trade and the evolving situation in West Asia.
With Putin, he reiterated the importance of ending wars and pursuing peaceful solutions to conflicts.
Modi-Xi handshake adds to summit diplomacy
Against this backdrop, the brief Modi-Xi exchange has emerged as one of the notable moments from the Bishkek summit.
The visual of the two leaders shaking hands does not by itself indicate a formal diplomatic breakthrough. However, it shows that Modi and Xi continue to maintain direct engagement in a multilateral setting.
The encounter also highlights the changing diplomatic environment around India-China relations. After prolonged border tensions following the 2020 clashes, both countries have taken steps aimed at easing friction and improving the broader relationship.
Their interactions at international forums remain closely watched for signs of further progress.
Bishkek summit brings major powers together
The SCO summit is significant beyond its formal agenda. With Modi, Xi and Putin among the leaders gathered in the Kyrgyz capital, the meeting provides a platform for major powers to engage amid continuing global and regional conflicts.
For India, the immediate focus remains on advancing its interests through the SCO while maintaining independent relationships with China, Russia, Central Asia and other partner countries.
The brief Modi-Xi interaction adds another closely watched moment to that wider diplomatic engagement. (With inputs from IANS & X posts of several verified media outlets)
