How are Global South leaders shaping a multipolar future?

Beijing: In the realm of global diplomacy, the essence often lies not in mere words but in the imagery that is crafted. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Plus 2025 Summit, held in Tianjin, China from August 31 to September 1, showcased numerous such impactful visuals. Images capturing Prime Minister Narendra Modi embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin, aligning in a shared pace with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin, and engaging with both leaders conveyed messages far beyond the confines of the conference room. These visuals herald a new geopolitical landscape where the leaders of three pivotal Global South nations emerge not as economic rivals but as a united front.

The role of visual representation in international relations cannot be overstated. Leaders recognize that a handshake, a warm embrace, or a choreographed walk can convey deeper meanings than any formal statement. Here, the imagery reflects what many have speculated yet few anticipated: India, China, and Russia united in purpose and optics. The Global South, long marred by internal divisions, now faces a moment where the symbolic solidarity of these three nations challenges the United States’ tightening grip on trade, security, and international institutions.

This SCO Summit's importance transcends the diplomatic discussions held behind closed doors; it rests in the powerful imagery that resonates globally, particularly concerning Washington, Brussels, and Tokyo. For audiences in these regions, the photographs evoke strength, dignity, and a vision of a newly emerging global order. For the broader Global South, they signify a long-awaited opportunity to unite, negotiate, resist, and shape a multipolar future.

The display of unity comes at a pivotal moment as U.S. President Donald Trump disrupts established global trade norms with his protectionist policies. Recently, Trump has enacted a 50% tariff on goods from India and a reduced 30% tariff on Chinese exports, down from a proposed 145%. For Moscow, the sanctions deepen with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. For leaders in Beijing, New Delhi, and Moscow, this situation signifies not just economic warfare but a calculated effort to fragment the Global South, perpetually keeping it dependent and divided.

As a result, the images from the SCO serve as a subtle yet assertive challenge to the international narrative shaped by Trump. Modi walking in concert with Xi and Putin delivers a clear message against the ambitions of the United States to isolate China, detach Russia from Asia, or coerce India into compromising its strategic autonomy. The intent is unmistakable; while Washington intensifies tariffs and reinforces old alliances, the leading powers of the Global South are crafting a counter-narrative advocating for multipolarity.

Xi Jinping articulated this vision, advocating for resistance against the “Cold War mentality” and the “bullying tactics” of the United States under President Trump. He emphasized the necessity of safeguarding UN-centered systems and fortifying a WTO-centered trading framework. Xi's rhetoric has evolved from mere abstract commitment to a statement of solidarity with two other influential leaders from countries that are vital to the future of the Global South.

Prime Minister Modi also seized the moment to assert that the aspirations of billions in the Global South cannot be overshadowed by outdated international norms. He stated, “the colorful dreams of the new generation cannot be envisioned on a black and white screen.” This was a call for reforming the United Nations and transforming institutions to reflect the realities of the 21st century, emphasizing that the future of the Global South is inextricably linked to global governance's evolution. For Modi, these visuals with Xi and Putin amplify his insistence that India cannot be sidelined in the power arena.

Putin, often seen as embattled by the West, finds in these visuals a reaffirmation of Russia's ongoing global relevance. His embrace with Modi and camaraderie with Xi symbolize defiance against Western isolation efforts. Within the SCO, Putin is portrayed not as a pariah but as an equal, engaged partner. For Moscow, whose pivot to Asia has accelerated due to sanctions, this summit and its visual expressions signify a victory in shaping global perceptions.

The implications of these images extend beyond the trilateral relationship, echoing across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, and among the broader developing world that has long sought alternatives to Western hegemony in trade and diplomacy. For smaller SCO members and other Global South nations, witnessing these three influential leaders together reassures them that their concerns are recognized by larger powers and that alternatives to a U.S.-led order are plausible. Such symbols of unity at the top can foster solidarity at local levels.

Amid Trump's tariffs and unilateralism, the stakes are significant. If Washington perceives its trade war as a means to enforce conformity, the optics from the SCO suggest the contrary, fostering closer ties between India and China, especially despite recent tensions. Trump's “America First” approach, rather than fragmenting the Global South, may be catalyzing its consolidation. The moments of embrace, shared laughter, and collaborative interactions tell the story of leaders who, despite their differences, recognize a common cause in resisting hegemonic pressures.

This does not overlook the ongoing geoeconomic competition among Global South powers like India and China, where border disputes and diverging economic interests persist. However, diplomacy thrives on possibilities rather than certainties. The significance of the imagery from the SCO summit is that it reopens avenues to envision what once seemed improbable: major Global South powers forging deeper connections while concurrently challenging the antiquated world order.

For decades, international discourse has been dominated by the Global North—through NATO summits, G7 communiqués, White House press briefings, and EU meetings. Now, visuals from Astana, New Delhi, Rio, Jakarta, or Beijing, showcasing leaders of the Global South standing together, increasingly reflect alternative possibilities. These images serve as a powerful reminder that geopolitics is not solely articulated in treaties and tariffs but is also demonstrated through embraces, gestures, and moments of solidarity.

In this context, the 2025 Tianjin SCO Summit not only achieved consensus but also illustrated Global South solidarity. For Modi, Xi, and Putin, these visuals are not secondary to the summit's proceedings but embody diplomatic efforts aimed at conveying resolve, unity, and defiance, projecting a potential new balance of power to the world that is not constructed in Washington or Brussels, but emanates from the Global South itself.

The message is unmistakable: in an era marked by America’s renewed trade war, sanctions, and unilateralism, the Global South is discovering the strength of standing united—not just through rhetoric, but through substantive actions and imagery that resonate more profoundly than any speech ever could.