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Xi Jinping’s visit to South America to attend the APEC and G20 meetings had multiple goals. To inaugurate a new gateway for China in Peru’s Chancay port, sign three dozen cooperation agreements with Brazil, and make nice with the continent’s nations from Chile to the Honduras. Did it succeed in expanding China’s influence in the region? Most certainly, yes.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s six-day visit to Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana in November resulted in several bilateral agreements on economic, developmental, energy and technological cooperation. The trip highlighted India’s strategic and diplomatic priorities in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and offered the country an opportunity to position itself as a key partner for sustainable development and multilateral cooperation in the Global South.
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Conversations on forced displacement in many cases still centre on the climate versus conflict dichotomy, but multiple factors including social inequality, poor infrastructure and weak governance, often combine as triggers for displacement. A more analytical approach to financing forced displacement response is necessary to enable humanitarian actors to work more effectively in the allocation of resource and disaster preparedness.
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Donald Trump has re-entered Washington with the backing of a solid political base, a redefined Republican Party, and a more seasoned presence on the international stage, including in the Middle East. Since his last imprint on that region in 2016, 2024 presents significant shifts: alliances redefined, regional power dynamics realigned, trade networks transformed, and urgent security challenges restructured. These changes demand strategic recalibration from all stakeholders.
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The G20 Leaders' Summit, held in Brazil on November 18-19, focused on advancing climate action, addressing hunger and poverty, and global governance reform. Along with welcoming the African Union as a full member, it balanced continuity with innovation and highlighted the forum's role in creating and pushing multilateral solutions to pressing global challenges.
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The Asia Pacific Economic Community summit, held in Peru from Nov 13-15, attracted many leaders, but most eyes were on President Xi Jinping of China who cut the ribbon on a Peruvian port, China’s largest investment in South America. Meanwhile the APEC CEO Forum was more interested in the impact of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump on their economies and on the region.
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Domestic concerns regarding the cost of living, immigration and crime were the key issues that brought about change in the U.S. Presidential elections. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former Indian ambassador to the U.S., discusses the election outcome and its geopolitical implications, the potential economic and political trajectory of a Trump presidency, and the future of the India-U.S. bilateral.
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The 16th BRICS Summit, held in Russia’s Kazan in October, was the first summit of the expanded grouping. With 13 new partner states invited, it revealed how increased membership has the potential to enhance the grouping’s influence. For India, BRICS serves as a bridge between the west, the east, the north and the south, making New Delhi the geopolitical sweet spot.
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The U.S. presidential election campaign has produced two stunning developments: the attempted assassination of Trump and the withdrawal of Biden, under severe pressure from leaders of the Democratic Party. Putting optics aside, observers should focus on the ideological differences between the two candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, which will be on display on Sept. 10 when they debate the issues.
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India hosted the third Global South Summit virtually on August 17. Such summits are a necessary platform to network with other developing countries and bring neglected issues to attention. But now they must do more than be tick-box events. They must have achievable milestones, actively share experiences and solutions, and show how they matter.