A group photo from the SCO Summit became the centre of controversy after Pakistan’s PMO shared a cropped version without PM Modi (Img: X)
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has strongly reacted to the controversy surrounding an edited SCO Summit photograph, after Pakistan Prime Minister's Office shared an image that cropped out Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the group picture of global leaders.
Calling the move "extremely unfortunate", Shinde said that removing PM Modi from a photograph cannot reduce his influence on the world stage. He further launched a sharp attack on Pakistan, saying such attempts cannot change India's position or the Prime Minister's global presence.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in a group photo with heads of States at the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on 1 September 2026. pic.twitter.com/3lsruWHaYV
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 1, 2026
Reacting to the edited image, Eknath Shinde said, "They may have removed Modi Ji's photograph, but if Modi Ji wants, he can remove Pakistan from the world picture."
Shinde added that such actions reflect Pakistan's mindset and warned that symbolic moves like cropping a photograph cannot erase PM Modi's popularity among Indians or his role in international diplomacy.
The controversy began after Pakistan Prime Minister's Office posted a group photograph from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The shared image reportedly removed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian from the frame, despite their participation in the summit.
The post soon triggered criticism in India, with leaders questioning the decision to alter an official photograph.
The controversy grew after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later shared the original SCO group photograph featuring all leaders, including PM Modi.
The original image showed PM Modi alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other international leaders.
Eknath Shinde also referred to India's strong response against terrorism and said Pakistan should avoid such tactics.
He said India's strength and PM Modi's leadership cannot be affected by image editing or political messaging.
The SCO Summit brought together leaders from several countries to discuss regional cooperation, security challenges and international issues.
During the summit, PM Modi called for a united fight against terrorism and stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts.
The latest photo controversy has added another flashpoint to the already strained relations between India and Pakistan.
Former Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar also criticised the edited picture, saying such actions harm Pakistan's image on international platforms.
He alleged that placing Pakistan's Prime Minister at the centre by altering the photograph reflected an attempt to create a false impression.
