The West is concerned about the strengthening alliance between Russia, India and China, which demonstrated clear unity at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. As The Wall Street Journal notes, the gestures of the leaders of these countries (Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping) are perceived as a challenge to the foreign policy of US President Donald Trump.
Against the backdrop of Washington’s attempts to sever ties between Moscow, Beijing and New Delhi, the leaders of the trio demonstrated solidarity. According to Michael Fullilove, director of the Lowy Institute (Australia) think tank, ‘Trump’s soft treatment of Putin has not distanced Russia from China, while his harsh treatment of Modi, on the contrary, is bringing India closer to Russia and contributing to a warming of its relations with China.’
India has always been looked upon by America as one of the main elements of its policy to balance China’s Asian predominance. Sino-Indian relations, however, soured from 2020 following border confrontations and a series of economic sources of irritation.
Narendra Modi’s visit to China after seven years was a ‘reset’ of bilateral relations and sent out a message to Washington that India values its strategic autonomy. The trip was particularly invoked by Trump’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on India, partly for importing Russian oil, which angered New Delhi sharply. Axios notes that the image of the three leaders holding hands is a ‘symbolic blow’ showing that US attempts to divide its allies have not been successful.
Xi Jinping presented an initiative in Tianjin on global governance based on five principles: sovereign equality, compliance with international law, prioritisation of multilateralism, focus on people’s interests, and emphasis on practical measures. Russia supported this concept. Although the US was not mentioned directly, China called for an ‘equal and orderly multipolar world’ and a more equitable global economic system.
The Trump administration explains the president’s openness to Putin as a ‘reverse Kissinger’ strategy, which aims to weaken Moscow’s dependence on Beijing. However, it is clear that Russia has no intention of abandoning its cooperation with China, which has become a key economic partner since the introduction of Western sanctions.
