International Relations Take an Unusual Turn with the Dance between the Elephant and the Dragon

In a series of significant meetings, leaders from India, China, and Japan have been forging stronger ties, potentially reshaping the global order.

The most consequential of these meetings took place in Tianjin, China, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Xi Jinping. This encounter, one of the most significant of the year, comes amidst fears that the United States, under an authoritarian and power-hungry President, could be the principal destabilizing force for the world order.

India and China, as prominent voices of the Global South, are aiming to diversify trade and promote a world less dominated by the US. The two nations are considering trading more to meet the needs of their combined population of 2.8 billion people, representing nearly 40% of the world's population.

India has agreed with China to look at the relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective. This shift may have sent a message to the United States that India and China are reassessing their relationship with Washington.

Stung by slanderous remarks from Trump's close loyalists, India may have found comfort in Xi Jinping's words to join China for the sake of peace and prosperity. The meeting in Tianjin also occurred at a juncture where India may have sought to distance itself from the US and align more closely with China.

Trump's actions have pushed India into "derisking" from the United States due to irritating and impossible demands. The US has virtually singled out India with tariffs and sanctions amounting to a crushing 50%-plus.

The meeting in Tianjin is significant as it took place amidst fears that Trump's US could be the principal destabilizing force for the world order. China, in response, emphasized the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) role in fostering a multipolar world order. Leaders from over 20 countries, including Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, met at the SCO summit in Tianjin, focusing on strengthening regional cooperation and promoting multilateralism to maintain peace and stability.

Meanwhile, India's visit to Japan was also noteworthy. Prime Minister Modi discussed economic security in critical sectors like semiconductors, rare earth minerals, pharmaceuticals, and information and communication technologies. Japan has pledged to bring $68 billion of private investment into India over a period of 10 years. The visit included a ride in a "Shinkansen," potentially hinting at future high-speed rail connectivity for India.

India and Japan shared a 10-year roadmap prioritizing cooperation in eight areas, symbolizing success in easing pressure from a potential rupture in ties with the United States. This roadmap, along with the strategic partnerships being forged with China, indicates a shift in India's foreign policy, one that prioritizes independence and cooperation with key global players.

These developments underscore the complex and evolving geopolitical landscape, as nations navigate the challenges posed by protectionist policies and seek to establish more equitable and sustainable partnerships for the future.