A dramatic photo including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has generated chatter about what a "new world order" dominated by Asia could look like.
The photo, which was taken during the recently held Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, features the leaders smiling and chatting amicably. These countries have all been affected by US President Donald Trump's high tariffs, so the picture is even more poignant.
The Western media have caught wind of it, with US political analyst Van Jones saying the picture should "send a chill down the spine of every American.
"We're going to look back on today historically as a very big deal because that image of Xi Jinping with Putin, with Modi from India, with the leader of Iran, with the leader of North Korea, that should send a chill down the spine of every American," Mr Jones said on CNN.
"That is a new world order. They call it a multipolar world. I call it the West is now in a box," Mr Jones added.
During the SCO summit, PM Modi was seen laughing heartily while clasping Mr Putin's hand, as the Russian leader smiled in return. Mr Xi maintained a composed expression as the trio briefly gathered before posing for a group photograph in Tianjin.
Other photographs showcased the camaraderie among the leaders: PM Modi and Mr Putin warmly greeting Mr Xi, PM Modi embracing Mr Putin, and the leaders strolling side by side with Mr Xi.
"It was the United States and China together and Russia by itself. Now we're on the bad end of the triangle. It's everybody against us. That is not good for America," he said.
He added, "It was the United States and China together and Russia alone. Now we're at the wrong end of the triangle. It's everyone against us. That's not good for America."
This week was the first gathering of four nations that US analysts have termed an anti-American "axis of turmoil"—Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia, the Washington Post reports.
The New York Times said, "The tableau carried multiple messages. The bonhomie between Mr Xi and Mr Putin was meant to convey a close bond between them as leaders of an alternative world order challenging the United States."
It added, "Mr Modi sought to show that India has other important friends - including China, regardless of an unresolved border dispute - if the Trump administration chooses to continue alienating New Delhi with tariffs."
Initially conceived as a regional body in Central Asia, the SCO summit has expanded its scope and clout, marking a nascent challenge to US global leadership, CNN reported.
Mr Xi reiterated the need to forsake Cold War mentality, competing blocs of power, and coercion and promote instead the safeguarding of the UN-centered international system. He advocated a global order with more than one center of power and a more equitable, balanced system of governance.
US President Trump, on Wednesday wrote on Truth Social, "May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America."
The summit came as Beijing celebrated 80 years since the end of Japan's surrender during World War II. Mr Xi, Mr Putin, and Mr Kim stood together as hundreds of thousands of people watched military technology displayed. Mr Xi warned of a "law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak," the BBC reported.
At the parade, Mr Putin and Mr Xi were heard on a hot mic discussing organ transplants and whether humans could live up to 150 years as they, along with Kim Jong Un, made their way towards Tiananmen Square.
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