Viral clip shows Pak PM’s desperate dash for Putin’s handshake at SCO summit | WATCH
Tianjin: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif faced an embarrassing moment at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit after a video of him rushing to shake hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin went viral, drawing widespread trolling on social media.
The clip, showing Sharif trailing behind as Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping walked together, sparked ridicule, especially as earlier visuals captured Prime Minister Narendra Modi in warm, informal exchanges with both leaders.
In the clip, as Putin and Xi Jinping are walking side by side after the photo op, PM Sharif appears to come up from behind and hurriedly reaches out to shake Putin's hand.
While other leaders showed composure, Pakistan PM Shehabaz Sharif came running to Putin to shake his hand.... pathetic attention seeking behaviour.
Xi Jinping realised what Shehbaz was going to do, so he looked the other way and ignored him 😭 pic.twitter.com/NAEeDw2oyY— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) August 31, 2025
Earlier in the day, Modi and Putin were seen walking past the Pakistani Prime Minister, who appeared isolated, as both leaders engaged in an informal conversation.
As the two leaders engaged in an animated discussion, Sharif stood alone with a grim expression while watching them pass by. The moment occurred as leaders of SCO member states gathered for a family photo in Tianjin.
Earlier, striking visuals had emerged of Prime Minister Modi in an informal interaction with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin.
The images showed all three leaders smiling and conversing, reminiscent of a similar photo taken during the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.
In the latest photo, Putin is seen on the left, Prime Minister Modi at the centre, and Xi Jinping on the right, walking together in a relaxed manner to pose for a SCO family photo.
Sharing the picture on X, PM Modi wrote, "Interactions in Tianjin continue! Exchanging perspectives with President Putin and President Xi during the SCO Summit."
The SCO Summit is taking place in the port city of Tianjin this year. The SCO comprises 10 members. In addition to India, they include Belarus, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. There are also several dialogue partners and observers. India has been a member of the SCO since 2017, having been an observer since 2005.
(With inputs from Agencies)