India, Sept. 1 -- It was a clear message of defiance to Donald Trump's tariffs. The handshakes, hugs, candid interactions and posing for photographs holding hands. As world leaders gathered in China's Tianjin for the SCO Summit, several moments went viral, most of them featured Prime Minister Narendra Modi, China President Xi Jinping and Russian premier Vladimir Putin - walking together, pausing mid-step, engaging in pointed exchanges and even car rides together. The choreography may have been unplanned, but the symbolism was unmistakable.

At a time when President Donald Trump-led US administration continues to double down on tariffs, three of the world's most powerful leaders shared the spotlight - without Washington in frame - in a big...