Scott Bessent calls India, China, Russia ‘bad actors’, brushes off SCO summit as ‘performative’

The Tianjin summit showcased rare warmth between India, Russia and China. Modi shared hugs with Xi and rode in the same car as Putin, projecting Indias strategic independence and signaling that it has options beyond Washington. For Modi, the SCO stage was an opportunity to highlight Indias autonomy while pushing back against Pakistan on terrorism and voicing concerns about Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.