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Modi Cropped Out, Sharif Moved To Centre: Pakistan's Cheap Photo Politics At SCO Summit
24htopnews | September 2, 2026 11:07 AM CST

Pakistan’s PMO sparked controversy at the SCO Summit after sharing a cropped group photograph that removed PM Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other leaders while placing Shehbaz Sharif more centrally. The image drew online criticism and was later followed by Sharif sharing the full photograph. The episode was widely mocked as petty diplomacy amid India-Pakistan tensions.

A diplomatic group photograph was supposed to capture a moment of unity at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek. Instead, an edited version of that picture turned into a fresh talking point in the long-running India-Pakistan rivalry.

The Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office shared a cropped version of the SCO leaders’ photograph in which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was no longer visible. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and several other leaders were also removed from the frame, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appeared closer to the centre.

The move quickly drew attention online, with critics describing it as an unnecessary and petty diplomatic gesture at a multilateral summit where leaders had gathered to project cooperation.

Modi Shares Full Picture, Pakistan’s Crop Draws Attention


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