Xi Jinping, the president of China, expressed to Vladimir Putin of Russia that the global scenario is currently intertwined with chaos. However, he assured that the enduring strategic alliance between Beijing and Moscow is a stronghold of stability during the tumultuous times not seen in the last century.
In May, Xi along with Putin made a commitment to initiate a fresh stage of cooperation between their countries, the two prime challengers of the United States. They portrayed the United States as a warmongering cold war superpower causing global disorder.
At the outset of the Brics summit in the Russian city of Kazan, Xi communicated to Putin that China’s friendship and rapport with Russia would continue for ages, and significant countries’ duty towards their citizens would remain constant amidst the chaotic era.
Brics, an association of major upcoming economies, comprises of the primary five members – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This year it has broadened to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia is also expected to join.
Russia, currently engaged in a conflict against Ukrainian forces supported by Nato, and China, under immense pressure due to a rigorous US attempt to impede its expanding military and economic power, increasingly share a mutual geopolitical interest.
Both Russia and China, striving to outshine the humiliation of the Soviet collapse in 1991 and centuries of European colonial dominance over China, attempt to depict the West as decadent and on a downward trend.
The US perceives China as its primary competitor and Russia as its major national threat. President Joe Biden pointed out that democracies are facing a challenge from autocratic nations such as China and Russia.
Referring to Xi as a “dear friend”, Putin stated that the association with China contributes to worldwide stability. He expressed that “Russian-Chinese collaboration in international affairs is a chief stabilising component on the global platform,”. He added they intend to improve coordination across all multilateral platforms to ensure global security and establish a fair world order.
In a recent meeting of the Brics group (an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), Mr Xi declared its significance as a crucial platform for the unity and collaboration among the burgeoning market nations and those in development across the globe. He emphasised the group’s vital role in fostering equitable, organised global multipolarity and inclusive, tolerant economic globalisation.
At the brink of the summit, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, expressed his desire for tranquillity in Ukraine to Mr Putin, stating that India is poised to aid in facilitating a ceasefire, thereby putting an end to Europe’s most destructive conflict since World War II.
Mr Putin, who authorised the deployment of numerous troops into Ukraine in February 2022, hopes that the summit will highlight the growing power of the non-western world amid attempts by the US, Europe, and Asian allies to ostracise Russia due to the conflict.
Russia anticipates 22 heads of state to attend the Brics summit, which represents 45% of the global population and contributes 35% to the worldwide economy.
Mr Putin expressed gratitude to Mr Modi for honouring the invitation to visit the city of Kazan along the Volga River. He lauded the “privileged strategic relationship” that binds Russia and India.
Mr Modi reciprocated the sentiment, thanking Mr Putin for his robust friendship and acknowledged the growing unity and development of the Brics group. However, he maintained India’s stance that a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is necessary. He disclosed that India has maintained constant communication about the matter, insisting on the peaceful settlement of disputes.