"Selfies, headlines & bhakts clapping": Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticises PM Modi's China visit

New Delhi [India], September 3 (ANI): Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Wednesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to China to attend the SCO Summit, calling it a mere "Selfies, headlines & bhakts clapping."
He questioned the outcome of India's participation after Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir a day later.
In a post on X, he criticised PM Modi's foreign policy approach, stating that the China-Pak axis has strengthened as the timing of the SCO summit and Xi Jinping's subsequent meeting with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir underscored China's strategic interests in the region, potentially at India's expense.
The Congress MP wrote, "Modi sahib went to SCO for '56-inch diplomacy'. Next day? Xi Jinping meets Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir. Xi knows the difference: Modi = photo-ops & speeches. Pak Army = real power & strategy. Modi's SCO visit outcome? Selfies, headlines & bhakts clapping. Meanwhile, China-Pak axis just got stronger."
Tagore further claimed that the timing of Xi's meeting with both leaders was "deliberate" and was a calculated attempt.
"Xi's timing was deliberate. A reminder: while Modi manages events, Beijing manages geopolitics. Question for Modi's PR machine -- Was SCO about India's interests or just another "event management" world? When PM will think for India not for his photo ups ?" the post added.

Modi sahib went to SCO for “56-inch diplomacy”.
Next day?
Xi Jinping meets Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir.

Xi knows the difference:
👉 Modi = photo-ops & speeches.
👉 Pak Army = real power & strategy.

Modi’s SCO visit outcome?
Selfies, headlines & bhakts clapping.
Meanwhile,… pic.twitter.com/c3GXodTjky

— Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) September 3, 2025

The 25th Council of Heads of State meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held from August 31 to September 1 in Tianjin, China. This summit included significant discussions on global governance, security, and economic cooperation among member nations.
The bonhomie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin was on full display at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China.
The two leaders shared warm moments, including a heartfelt hug and a ride together in Putin's official Aurus Senat limousine to their bilateral meeting. Russian President Vladimir Putin waited for about 10 minutes for Prime Minister Narendra Modi so that he could join him in his car ride, as per sources.
Prime Minister thanked President Xi Jinping for his warm hospitality and congratulated him on the successful organisation of the Summit. He also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on taking over the next Presidency of the SCO.
At the conclusion of the Summit, the SCO Member countries adopted the Tianjin Declaration.
The member states strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April in which 26 people were killed.
They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the deceased and the wounded. They further stated that perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice.
The member states, while reaffirming their commitment to the fight against terrorism, separatism, and extremism, stressed the inadmissibility of attempts to use terrorist, separatist and extremist groups for mercenary purposes. They recognised the leading role of sovereign states and their competent authorities in countering terrorist and extremist threats. (ANI)