BRICS, India-China and the return of Asia

The recent BRICS summit in New Delhi saw a side meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping that holds significant meaning for their relationship and the broader Asia region. While no dramatic reconciliation was announced, the meeting suggests that India and China are developing a political vocabulary that accommodates both rivalry and cooperation.

Their talks centered on diffusing tensions on the border, fair trade practices, and respect for each other's interests. This shows that India and China are not just rivals but also partners - a reality that is dynamic and ever-changing.

The meeting also highlights the shifting international power dynamics. China's rise has brought India closer to the US, Japan, Australia, and Europe, creating a complex power distribution. Both countries are avoiding a permanent adversarial relationship as they navigate this new global order. They are compartmentalizing their competition, recognizing that power is shifting toward Asia and that they both have a stake in its development.

This is evident in their agreement to collaborate in multilateral forums and address regional and global matters together. The India-China relationship is therefore not just a bilateral issue but part of the larger global power shift, where Asia is becoming increasingly significant in terms of economic and technological change.