Modi-Xi Meeting: A new chapter in global politics

The consensus and warm relations between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the recent Tianjin Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) are undoubtedly heralding a new geopolitical reality, given the long-standing border dispute and mutual distrust between China and India. In recent years, Delhi-Beijing relations have been walking on the tightrope due to the Galwan Valley clash, trade barriers and diplomatic tensions. However, Modi’s visit to China this time and the reference to “peace and a stable environment” are expected to end the old tensions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s message that “China and India should be partners, not rivals” is more than the relationship between two neighbours. It is indeed the future strategic direction of the entire South and Central Asia and, to some extent, global politics. Moreover, the resumption of India-China air connectivity, as said by Modi, can be a milestone in improving relations between the two countries.
In light of this, the significance of the SCO and the attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin have become even more apparent. The SCO’s current composition and growth are establishing it as a model for a potent non-Western alliance in addition to serving as a forum for regional cooperation. Today, the SCO serves as a substitute force to offset the might of alliances led by the West, particularly NATO.
While Trump’s reciprocal tariff has already been there, a new reality in world politics is China-Russia-India strategic closeness to protect themselves from Western pressure and sanctions. India’s relations with the US have been strained recently, especially over the purchase and import of Russian oil. Modi’s tilt towards Xi at this juncture is indicative of an immediate diplomatic direction as well as a long-term geopolitical strategy.
In this global reality, the important question for a country like Bangladesh also arises: What geopolitical position will we stand in? The future participation and strategic position of Bangladesh in forums like SCO, BRICS or QUAD is the need of the hour. The world is now moving towards a new bipartisan politics, where developing countries will have to take conscious, prudent and interest-centric decisions in the fight between the West and the non-West Poles. The Tianjin Conference is only a glimpse into that new world.