Geopolitical expert Ian Bremmer believes one visual from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin carried more weight in Washington than any group handshake or viral clip. It was the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin sharing a limousine.
“I think if there was one photo that really did have an impact in the White House, it was Modi’s decision to share the limousine ride with Putin in the same way that Trump invited Putin to do the same in Anchorage,” Bremmer told India Today TV. “And that was really, you know, a very orchestrated message by the Indian Prime Minister to Trump.”
The gesture came against a tense backdrop. Washington had penalised India with steep tariffs — 25 percent on exports plus an additional 25 percent surcharge — over New Delhi’s continued purchases of discounted Russian oil. Modi’s decision to be visibly seen with Putin was read by many as a reminder that India retains options, even while deepening security ties with the United States.
On social media, Modi himself played up the optics, posting: “After the proceedings at the SCO Summit venue, President Putin and I travelled together to the venue of our bilateral meeting. Conversations with him are always insightful.”
Bremmer dismissed some of the other headline-grabbing images from the summit, including a clip of Xi Jinping, Modi and Putin laughing together. “You know, I don’t think it was that important,” he said, pointing out that Modi declined to sign on with SCO countries supporting China’s Belt and Road initiative and left before the World War II commemorations and military parade.
Even so, the limousine ride underscored India’s careful balancing act. Modi’s talks with Xi signalled that New Delhi will keep lines open with Beijing and Moscow, but its absence from the parade showed limits to any rapprochement with China.
For Washington, Bremmer suggested, the sight of Modi and Putin riding together was unmistakable: a subtle but deliberate reminder that India will chart its own course, despite pressure from the White House.
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