[Watch] That’s What Netizens Called ‘Elaichi In Biriyani’ Moment For Pak PM At SCO Summit

Tainjin: At the 25th SCO summit in Tianjin, a striking moment unfolded: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif watched on, his expression noticeably grim, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin walked together, seemingly bypassing him. The awkwardness did not go unnoticed, and the scene quickly went viral.

Meanwhile, Modi and Putin appeared in high spirits, sharing candid laughter and even a friendly hug—moments that underscored their deepening camaraderie. Chinese President Xi Jinping stood alongside them, further underscoring the emerging troika’s unity.

Sharp-eyed observers noted a second moment where Sharif attempted to engage—approaching Putin during discussions—but neither Putin nor Xi acknowledged him, reinforcing perceptions of his diplomatic isolation.

Watch: Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif looks on as PM Modi, Russian President Putin walks past him at the SCO summit pic.twitter.com/aqIMQBuI6v

— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) September 1, 2025

Sharif’s sidelining sparked widespread social media reaction. One meme compared him to the “elaichi in biryani”—something forgotten even in a flavorful dish—while another quipped that being ignored at such a gathering mirrored the Hindi adage, “Begani shaadi mein Abdullah deewana.” Memes flowed fast, with users calling Sharif’s appearance attention-seeking and highlighting Pakistan’s diminished role in global optics.

Despite the visual snub, Sharif did engage diplomatically on the summit’s periphery—endorsing President Xi’s vision of shared regional prosperity, advancing discussions on the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and joining Turkey in condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Notable Meme Shares on Twitter/X

Netizen Comparisons: Some compared Sharif to the “elaichi in biryani,” poking fun at how easily he was overlooked.

Pakistan PM @CMShehbaz in SCO Summit 🤔: modi isko chore tab mai thode Loan ki baat kru🥺
.
India and Russia 🇮🇳🤝🇷🇺#Terrorism pic.twitter.com/YlxOlAthBh

— Ashish Yadav🇮🇳 (@CrickAshish) September 1, 2025

Hindi Proverb Meme: Others invoked “Begani shaadi mein Abdullah deewana”, remarking that Sharif looked out of place amidst fellow leaders.

Pakistan prime minister rn in #SCOSummit2025
pic.twitter.com/C6sQ0KcpDa

— Krishna I love you yaar 🤤 (@3noGamers1) September 1, 2025

Ridicule over Attention-Seeking:  Many online commentators labeled his gestures as attention-seeking, playing up the optics that painted him as diplomatically sidelined.