For India

The Tianjin episode enhances India’s diplomatic profile within the SCO, projecting Prime Minister Modi as a credible and respected leader in Asian geopolitics. His visible warmth with both Putin and Xi positions India as a bridge player between Moscow and Beijing at a time of shifting global alignments. India is signalling that despite U.S. partnership, it retains strategic autonomy and will not shy away from engaging with Russia or China. The optics also reinforce New Delhi’s ability to sideline Pakistan diplomatically while prioritizing its standing among global heavyweights, consolidating India’s role as a rising pole in Eurasia.

For Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif being visibly side-lined underscores Pakistan’s shrinking influence within multilateral platforms like the SCO. Despite its geographic positioning and traditional ties with China, Islamabad appears unable to match India’s rising clout. This diplomatic snub worsens as it comes amid Pakistan’s deepening economic crisis and reliance on external powers like Washington for support. By appearing isolated, Pakistan risks being further marginalized in Asia, reduced to a reactive role in its rivalry with India rather than setting the regional agenda.

For China

Xi Jinping’s visible engagement with Modi, despite ongoing Sino-Indian tensions on the border, signals a pragmatic Chinese approach to regional power politics. China recognizes India’s growing importance in the SCO and finds utility in maintaining dialogue, especially to balance U.S. pressure in the Indo-Pacific. At the same time, China continues to back Pakistan strategically, but Tianjin shows Beijing’s realpolitik—prioritizing ties with India when it suits broader economic and security calculations. This underscores China’s dual-track strategy: friendship with Pakistan as a tactical lever, but deeper engagement with India as a strategic necessity.

For Russia

Putin’s warmth with Modi at a time of Moscow’s continuing estrangement from the West signals Russia’s determination to maintain India as a critical partner in its Asia strategy. Modi’s personal rapport with Putin strengthens Indo-Russian ties in defence, energy, and security cooperation, even as India diversifies toward the U.S. The Tianjin summit optics suggest that Russia still sees India as a cornerstone of its Eurasian diplomacy — and, crucially, as a counterweight to China’s dominance in the SCO. For Moscow, this is also a reminder to Pakistan that its partnership carries less weight than India’s strategic value.

For The United States

Washington faces a complex balancing act. While India remains central to the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy, its visible closeness with Russia and willingness to engage China sends a strategic warning that India won’t function as a junior ally to U.S. interests. Pakistan’s tilt toward Washington after its recent military and financial dependence creates a paradox: America may gain influence in Islamabad, but this comes at the cost of losing ground in Asian forums where India, Russia, and China dominate decision-making. By excluding Pakistan and highlighting Modi’s stature, the Tianjin summit demonstrates that Washington cannot fully isolate Russia or limit India’s flexibility despite escalating U.S.–China tensions.

Overall Takeaway

The SCO summit in Tianjin reflects a reshaping of Eurasian diplomatic dynamics. India has emerged as a central balancing force, able to engage with both Russia and China on its terms, while Pakistan finds itself increasingly side-lined. Beijing and Moscow see pragmatic value in closer ties with Modi, even as New Delhi deepens its bonds with Washington. The U.S., by contrast, risks overplaying its reliance on Pakistan while underestimating India’s insistence on strategic independence. The ultimate outcome is that India’s geopolitical leverage is rising, Pakistan’s space for manoeuvring is shrinking, and the Eurasian balance of power is shifting toward more India-centric calculations within multilateral platforms.

IDN (With Agency Inputs)