The Thaw in India-China Relations: A BRICS Perspective
The BRICS summit, at which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping, is significant considering the frosty relations between the two countries. This is the first time they have talked officially after five years, and it immediately follows assurances curtailing heightened military tensions along their contested border.
Context of the Meeting
As such, the context of this meeting entails many frayed military engagements, including the recent deadly violence in the Galwan Valley in 2020. This incident further inflamed the tensions, leading to a military standoff and affecting diplomatic relations, especially economic relations. Since then, it has become clear to both countries that stabilizing relations will involve talking to each other.
The BRICS summit, which took place in Kazan, Russia, was an opportunity for Modi to engage with Xi uniquely. Their conversations were built on reconciling acknowledged differences and respect for each other’s sovereign territory, especially regarding the peace within the borders. Modi affirmed that their enmity has global ramifications, making their relations too critical to allow mistrust and careless interaction.
BRICS as a Catalyst
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) remains a necessary platform for these countries to pursue their common objectives. This grouping has called out to the third world in the West and represented the Global South to support the fight for a multipolar world free of Western hegemony.
Leaders in the meeting deliberated on ways of deepening economic relations and lessening dependence on the West. This is in tandem with India’s hope that BRICS will primarily serve as a developmental tool for the economies in the making. A focus on using national currencies or creating their own financial systems indicates a need for economic sovereignty.
Key Outcomes from the Summit
1. Border Security: Delegates from both parties confirmed the intention to arrange meetings of senior officials to tackle the existing border disputes. This agreement is crucial in establishing peace in the long run.
2. Trade: The parties also talked about increasing trade among BRICS countries to improve the distribution of economic power globally.
3. Extending Membership: BRICS’ expansion to include new states such as Iran and SA testifies to its potential and ability to act as an alternative to Western-oriented bodies.
4. Peace and Security in the Region: It emphasized the need for security in all its aspects, especially with the existence of conflicts in the region.
5. Promotion and Strengthening of Relations through Cultural Exchange: The leaders noted the importance of nurturing cultural relationships among member states.
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The meeting of Modi and Xi is tentative on the face of it, but welcome exercise in building bridges. It is clear to the two leaders that keeping differences in check is a key imperative for both countries as well as for the BRICS purpose of bringing nations, especially developing countries, together.
Finally, at the BRICS summit, which was held in Africa, there was a slight warming of the relations between India and China. It is understood that this meeting would take place given the historical likelihood. As both nations forge their way through this ever-evolving scenario, the role of BRICS as an avenue for interaction and even integration cannot, in any way be overestimated.
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