A quest for balanced global governance

The relations between China and Russia now stand exemplary, a fact explicitly demonstrated during China's largest-ever military parade in the first week of this month. These ties have withstood the test of shifting international dynamics, with Beijing expressing its willingness to work with Moscow to promote the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system.

It is evident that Russia and North Korea rely on China to bolster their economies, a development that raises concern in Washington. In the wake of US tariff pressures, all three -- China, Russia, and North Korea -- stand shoulder to shoulder, speaking of fostering stronger economic ties and political relationships. At the same time, both India and Pakistan are making efforts to strengthen their ties with Russia and China by reframing their foreign policies. The Indian Prime Minister was seen repeatedly engaging with the Russian President during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China, where they also held talks with the Chinese President.

China is positioning itself as a stable trading partner with Russia and India at a time when President Donald Trump's tariffs have disrupted economic relationships worldwide. While a deal with Russia to end the war in Ukraine continues to elude the US, President Xi Jinping's warm welcome of Vladimir Putin in Beijing underscores the deepening ties between the two countries.

The SCO summit also drew global attention when Pakistan and Russia met on the sidelines in Beijing and pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, infrastructure, and regional development. The summit effectively brought together five nuclear powers on a single platform to foster new relationships in trade, culture, and geopolitics, while seeking to reduce differences.

Trump's tariff war, the EU and US's unwavering support for Ukraine, and Washington's backing of Israel in the Gaza conflict have frustrated much of the world. Many nations are weary of America's unilateral interventions in international trade and politics. Against this backdrop, the SCO summit suggested that five nations may be attempting to navigate towards a new world order that challenges US hegemony. If a new alliance under the leadership of Russia and China emerges, it could threaten the existing unipolar order and revive a bipolar balance in global governance.

Abu Taher

Kawran Bazar, Dhaka

abutaher011@gmail.com