Modi-Putin-Xi huddle for informal Tianjin RIC meet

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held an informal Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting in Tianjin ahead of the SCO summit opening session in a display of Eurasian camaraderie, sending a powerful message amid US President Donald Trump's approach that has disrupted geopolitics.

During his first visit to China in seven years, Modi took the hands of Putin and Xi and pulled them closer. As the three leaders mingled, one interpreter translated Putin's words, which began with, "We three friends..." Modi was seen enjoying the conversation and clasping Putin's hands a second time.

Earlier, Modi and Putin embraced each other and exchanged greetings before walking hand in hand towards a smiling Xi, who was waiting to greet them.


"Interactions in Tianjin continue! Exchanging perspectives with President Putin and President Xi during the SCO Summit," Modi wrote on X following the interaction.

The last structured RIC meeting among the three leaders was held in 2018 on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina. It dealt with the pressing global issues of the day.

Revival of a formal RIC meeting may still take time but Tianjin developments reaffirm India's policy of strategic autonomy, said political analysts. In July India had signalled willingness to consider reviving the long-inactive Russia-India-China trilateral dialogue, following renewed interest from Moscow.