THE GREAT WALL OF CHINESE ANTAGONISM

INDIA MUST FACE UP TO CHINA'S UNABATED HOSTILITY TOWARDS IT. FACTS SUGGEST XI JINPING HAS MADE A CHOICE AND IS PLANNING FURTHER MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST INDIA

- JAYADEVA RANADE

In the decade following the global economic downturn, the world order has been undergoing gradual change. Emerging powers like India and Japan have sought greater voice in international organisations, including at the United Nations. However, the process was rudely disrupted, first by the Covid pandemic and later, in February 2022, when Russian president Vladimir Putin decided to accelerate the pace of change by attempting to unilaterally alter international boundaries and invade Ukraine. Putin was emboldened after the February 4 summit with his ally, Chinese president Xi Jinping. Assured of China's tacit support, he withdrew his forces from the border with China and redeployed them on the Ukrainian front.

Both Putin and Xi are keen to see the emergence of a new world order. China's official news agency Xinhua quoted Xi as saying that "China and Russia are committed to deepening strategic cooperation and safeguarding international fairness and justice". He added that this is "a strategic decision that has far-reaching consequences for China, Russia and the world, and will not be shaken".