PM Modi holds hands with Putin, Xi in striking photo from BRICS Summit

A picture speaks a thousand words. And when it brings together the leaders of three major world powers, it speaks a million.

A photograph released on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi shows PM Modi standing between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, holding hands with both leaders as they share a light-hearted moment.

The image comes as India hosts the summit amid heightened geopolitical tensions and divisions over the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. It also comes as New Delhi works to strengthen ties with Russia and China while maintaining its partnerships with other major powers.

India, China and Russia were among the four founding members of BRIC, along with Brazil, when the grouping took shape in 2006.

Putin arrived in New Delhi for the BRICS summit on September 11 and held bilateral talks with the PM on Friday. On the other hand, Xi is visiting India for the first time in seven years. PM Modi and Xi are scheduled to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit, where border issues, trade and investments are likely to remain the key focus area.

A day earlier, a photograph of PM Modi holding hands with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian went viral online. That gesture drew attention amid the conflict involving Iran, which has disrupted energy supplies and maritime trade.