'Can remove Pak from world picture': Pakistan PMO crops Modi out of SCO pic, gets warned

The cropping of PM Modi from an SCO photo by Pak PMO sparked backlash in India. Eknath Shinde condemned the act, describing it as a symbol of Pak's insecurity.

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Pakistan PMO's move to crop Prime Minister Narendra Modi out of an SCO group photograph has drawn sharp reactions in India, with politicians calling it “extremely unfortunate” for a PM who “can remove Islamabad from world picture” if he wishes to.

The X post by Pakistan Prime Minister's Office handle of world leaders at the SCO Summit in Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek drew attention on Tuesday as the image, which was cropped on both sides, left out PM Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and several leaders.

“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,” the Pakistan PMO said in the post on Tuesday.

However, a few hours after Pakistan PMO's post, PM Shehbaz Sharif posted the original photograph featuring all leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Today, I was honoured to address the SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting in Bishkek as Pakistan assumed the SCO Chairmanship for 2027. I congratulated the Kyrgyz Republic on successfully hosting the Summit and steering the Organization with distinction,” Sharif said in his post, recalling his country's “immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism”. Terrorism must be condemned in all its forms and manifestations, he stated.

‘Modi can remove Pak from map if he wants’

Reacting to the Pakistan PMO photograph, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde said, "What Pakistan has done is extremely unfortunate. Pakistan has always attempted such things. However, I would say that while they may have removed Modi Ji's photograph, if Modi Ji wants, he can remove Pakistan from the world picture."

Shinde also invoked Operation Sindoor and said Pakistan should not attempt to "play such games" with India. "I would also say that such an act of removing a photograph cannot erase Prime Minister Modi from the hearts of 140 crore Indians. In fact, Prime Minister Modi remains one of the most popular leaders in the world...," ANI news agency quoted him as saying.

Former MoS MEA MJ Akbar also criticised Pakistan's decision, calling it an attempt that had turned the country into a "laughing stock" at international forums.

Akbar said, "This is how Pakistan converts itself into the laughing stock at every international conference. That censorship of the photograph is the height of pomposity because you have to look at it carefully. Not only has our PM Modi been removed from the picture as if he wasn't there, but the Pakistan PM has been put at the centre of the photo while China's President Xi Jinping has been put on the margin."

He further described the move as evidence of what he called a "very deep-seated inferiority complex" and said, "Such hyper-pomposity is actually evidence of a very deep-seated inferiority complex, which is displayed over and over again by the Pakistan State, and in fact, it converts itself very quickly into extremely irrational behaviour, into terrorism..."

Akbar added, "It is the behaviour of a bully afflicted by an inferiority complex...Wherever Pakistan sits, becomes the bottom of the table."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday at the 26th SCO Summit that the West Asia conflict must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, urging member states to shun “double standards” while unitedly countering the challenge of terrorism.

PM Modi's comments were made before a gathering that included Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Xi Jinping of China, which has often stymied India’s efforts to sanction Pakistani terrorists at bodies such as the UN Security Council.

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  Nayanika is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times, based in New Delhi, with over six years of experience in the digital media industry. She specialises in delivering clear, insightful coverage across general, national, and international beats, with a strong focus on breaking news and in-depth explainers. Known for her ability to decode complex developments, she enjoys unpacking layered political and policy issues into accessible, reader-friendly narratives that inform without overwhelming. She has previously worked in India's leading newsrooms, including India Today, News18, and Outlook, where she chased news, covered major events of the past six years and led teams. With a Master's degree in Political Science, Nayanika has a keen interest in international relations and global affairs. Her academic grounding shapes her analytical approach to stories, enabling her to connect the dots between domestic events and broader geopolitical currents. She is particularly drawn to stories that require context, nuance, and clarity - turning complicated subjects into compelling reads. Outside the newsroom, Nayanika is a passionate gourmand who loves cooking and sharing meals with loved ones. When she's not writing or tracking the latest headlines, she can often be found exploring local markets for fresh ingredients, seeking inspiration for her next culinary experiment.Read More