Viral clips of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appearing to rush to shake hands with world leaders at the SCO Summit have turned into a meme fest. The awkward moments have been amplified on social media, sparking a wave of ridicule.
September 1, 2025: After a lot of embarrassing moments with foreign leaders went viral during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has become the target of a lot of internet mocking. In viral videos, Sharif seems to be having trouble getting the attention of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A video from a formal photo shoot has gotten a lot of attention. It shows Sharif allegedly running up to Putin to shake his hand while Putin and Xi Jinping stroll together. The clip has sparked a lot of reactions on social media, with others labeling his acts “desperate” and “pathetic” ways to get attention.
Another popular video depicts Sharif having an awkward diplomatic moment. The footage shows him standing awkwardly next to Prime Minister Modi and President Putin, who are talking to each other. The two leaders go by him without seeming to notice him, leaving Sharif clearly out of the picture.
Social media users and politicians, like BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, who made fun of the Pakistani prime minister, have made the moments even more important. PM Modi’s powerful speech at the summit, in which he criticized terrorism and the “double standards” of countries that sponsor it (a clear reference to Pakistan), set the stage for the awkward interactions.
While PM Modi and President Putin were spotted having a friendly talk and hugging, Sharif’s problems on the world stage have led to a lot of online criticism, with many saying it’s an indication that Pakistan’s clout in global diplomacy is fading.