Modi-Xi ‘cold war’ at SCO proves member relationships strained. India must stand on its own

The cold of Ladakh apparently froze the erstwhile bonhomie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping as they ignored one another even as they stood next to each other and posed for a group photograph during the meeting of the Heads of States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Samarkand. The mutual and intentional display of ignoring one another on a forum that is specifically meant to promote cooperative spirit in diverse fields is naturally not reflected in the Samarkand Declaration, which embodies common perceptions of international affairs and identifies vast areas of cooperation to strengthen security and development. By December, India will take over the presidency of the SCO and host the next meeting of the Heads of States in 2023. Xi has promised full support for India’s presidency.