Pak PM Shehbaz trolled for awkward Putin handshake
Shehbaz Sharif’s Awkward Handshake with Putin at SCO Summit Sparks Online Mockery
At major global summits, every handshake, smile, and body language gesture is scrutinised by millions. For Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, this reality played out uncomfortably at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where his attempt to greet Russian President Vladimir Putin has now gone viral—though not for the reasons he might have hoped.
In a widely circulated video clip from the summit, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were seen walking together after the traditional group photo session. As the two leaders strolled ahead, Shehbaz Sharif suddenly appeared to rush up from behind. Extending his hand quickly, the Pakistani Prime Minister managed to secure a handshake with Putin, but the moment looked hurried, almost desperate, and entirely out of sync with the otherwise composed pace of the event.
Users pointed out that while leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and others interacted with calm confidence, Shehbaz’s dash for Putin’s hand looked more like a scramble for attention.
Indeed, sharp-eyed viewers noted that Xi Jinping, who was walking beside Putin at the time, appeared to subtly shift his body and avert his gaze as Sharif approached. This added another layer of awkwardness to the moment, with many interpreting Xi’s reaction as a deliberate attempt to distance himself from the encounter.
For Sharif, the timing couldn’t have been worse. Pakistan is navigating a period of deep economic instability, political fragility, and strained diplomatic relations. Against this backdrop, the SCO summit was an opportunity to project strength and statesmanship on an international stage. Instead, the handshake video has overshadowed other discussions and painted an image of desperation.
Memes have flooded social platforms, portraying Sharif as someone “chasing relevance” at the gathering. Comparisons were drawn to schoolchildren trying to get noticed by their teachers, or fans rushing celebrities for autographs. Some even joked that the handshake was less about diplomacy and more about validation.
However, beyond the trolling lies a serious dimension. For Pakistan, both Russia and China are critical partners. Russia has been exploring avenues to strengthen trade ties with Islamabad, particularly in the energy sector. China, meanwhile, is Pakistan’s closest strategic ally, with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) forming the backbone of their bilateral cooperation. Against this reality, Sharif’s eagerness to be seen engaging with Putin may have been driven by political necessity as much as personal enthusiasm.
Diplomatic optics are unforgiving, though. At high-level summits, where every move is recorded, subtle body language cues can shape narratives more powerfully than official speeches. A slow, deliberate handshake might signal confidence and equality; a rushed one risks projecting weakness. Unfortunately for Sharif, the latter impression is what stuck.
Political commentators back home in Pakistan have also weighed in. Some defended Sharif, saying he was simply being polite and proactive in ensuring engagement with Putin. Others, however, criticised the move as emblematic of Pakistan’s increasingly reactive foreign policy posture—trying too hard to seek validation from global powers rather than commanding respect on its own terms.
The incident also sparked comparisons with Prime Minister Modi’s interactions at the same summit. Modi, who has cultivated a carefully curated image of global statesmanship, was seen engaging with leaders in a calm, measured manner. The contrast between Modi’s composure and Sharif’s hurried gesture further fuelled online jibes, especially among Indian social media users.
Yet, in the court of public opinion, these weighty matters have been eclipsed by a fleeting moment of awkward body language.
For Shehbaz Sharif, the viral handshake serves as a reminder of the unforgiving nature of international diplomacy in the digital age. Every step is magnified, every gesture dissected, and every handshake can become a headline.
As Pakistan struggles to rebuild its economy and strengthen its global standing, the country’s leaders will be hoping that future engagements spotlight substance over style. Until then, the clip of Shehbaz Sharif’s awkward dash for Putin’s hand will remain etched in the memory of many—a symbol, for critics, of desperation, but for supporters, perhaps just a well-intentioned moment gone wrong.