The Modi-Putin-Jinping Photo from Day One Had Also Sparked Discussion

New Delhi : On the second day of the BRICS summit held in Delhi, numerous world leaders were seen together at Bharat Mandapam. During the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posed for a ‘family photo’ alongside leaders from member nations, as well as partner and invited countries. While such group photos are a standard formal tradition at international summits, the BRICS photograph this time has garnered special attention.

The primary reason for this is the positioning of the leaders within the image; Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared in the center, flanked by Russian President Vladimir Putin on one side and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the other. With the leaders of India, Russia, and China sharing the same frame, the photograph has become a topic of discussion across social media and political circles.

Given the significant roles these three nations play in global politics, the image is being viewed not merely as a routine photoshoot, but as a symbol of the broader diplomatic importance of BRICS. While it remains a matter of debate whether the arrangement of leaders in the photograph conveys a specific political message, the scene has certainly captured public attention.

Top leaders from various nations were seen together during the ‘family photo’ session held on the second day of the BRICS summit. Prime Minister Modi, representing the host nation India, appeared at the center of the photograph. The presence of Putin and Jinping alongside him added significant weight to the image. India, China, and Russia rank among the world’s major economies and influential powers.

Seeing the leaders of India and China two nations with long-standing differences in close proximity within the same frame has sparked particular discussion. Meanwhile, India’s enduring strategic and diplomatic ties with Russia are also being viewed through the lens of this photograph. The primary focus of BRICS is to foster cooperation among developing and emerging economies; thus, the collective presence of leaders from diverse nations at the summit underscores the group’s expanding reach. The participation of partner and invited nations has further broadened the scope of BRICS. The family photo thus became a memorable moment of the summit, clearly showcasing India’s leadership as the host alongside the presence of leaders from other key nations.

Following the family photoshoot, Prime Minister Modi shared his thoughts on BRICS cooperation. He stated that under India’s presidency, efforts have been focused on four pillars: vigilance, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. According to him, the cooperation and support of the leaders have successfully transformed a shared vision into concrete forms of collaboration. Modi also referred to the escalating tensions in today’s world, noting their profound and widespread negative impact on the lives of ordinary people. Citing the pandemic, climate-related disasters, and supply chain disruptions, he remarked that in today’s interconnected world, no crisis remains confined to a single region.

Consequently, emphasis has been placed on enhancing resilience within BRICS. He also highlighted the need for timely identification of challenges, preparedness, and swift action. In line with this approach, it was noted that a consensus had been reached on a ‘BRICS Integrated Early Warning System’ for the prevention of and response to infectious diseases. It was also mentioned that guidelines have been prepared for the integration of early warning data for disaster management. Furthermore, hope was expressed that the working framework for BRICS logistics supply chains would help make supply chains more reliable and resilient.

Apart from the ‘family photo’ taken on the second day of the BRICS summit, a photograph from the first day also drew significant attention. In this photograph, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping were seen together.

The three leaders appeared smiling in the picture, with Prime Minister Modi standing between the other two. A moment was also captured showing Modi holding the hands of both Putin and Jinping. While tensions have previously existed between India and China over various issues, there has recently been discussion regarding efforts to stabilize relations between the two nations.

Against this backdrop, the image of the three leaders together naturally attracted public attention. Some have viewed the photograph as a symbol of the potential for dialogue and cooperation among the three countries. Although it is not appropriate to draw definitive political conclusions based solely on a photograph, such informal moments between leaders at international summits certainly offer a glimpse into the diplomatic atmosphere. At multilateral gatherings like the BRICS summit, such images highlight the human and diplomatic dimensions of the event for people around the world.

A photograph of Prime Minister Modi with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the BRICS summit also drew significant public attention. In the image, Prime Minister Modi was seen holding the Iranian President’s hand and guiding him forward. Iran’s participation in the summit comes at a time when tensions persist in West Asia; against this backdrop, the warm meeting between the two leaders is being viewed as a diplomatically significant moment. Throughout the BRICS summit, discussions have focused on issues such as global cooperation, inclusive development, multilateralism, and joint efforts to address global challenges.

Prime Minister Modi has consistently remained a central figure in the images emerging from the event, highlighting India’s importance as the host nation. Notably, a photograph featuring Modi, Putin, and Jinping in the same frame has sparked the most conversation on social media. While some view it as an image of three major powers drawing closer, from a diplomatic perspective, it is seen as a reflection of the multilateral nature of BRICS and the dialogue between diverse nations. It is certain that these images from the BRICS summit have become a major topic of discussion both in political circles and on social media and will be counted among the memorable moments of the summit held under India’s presidency.

Report – Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)