Global South is becoming another India-China arena, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• NSA Ajit Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS NSA meeting in New Delhi.
• China's new White Paper on global governance positions itself as a key leader and member of the Global South.
• Beijing views India's Voice of Global South Summits, held without China, as a "pseudo-proposition."
• China advocates for "win-win cooperation" within the Global South, contrasting it with perceived "opportunism" from other nations.
• The article highlights China's debt diplomacy, citing examples like Hambantota Port and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Detailed Insights:

• India aims for "stable, predictable and constructive bilateral relations" and "gradual normalisation" with China following the Galwan incident.
• China's White Paper emphasizes revitalizing the Global South idea to include China, promoting "harmonious" approaches, and synergizing North-South cooperation.
• China asserts that the monopolization of international affairs by a few countries is unacceptable, positioning itself as a champion for inclusion and accessibility.
• Chinese analysts suggest India and China should function as "Global South anchors" rather than power competitors.
• India's actions, such as its stance on Chinese vessel dockings in Sri Lanka, are cited by China as examples of "opportunism."
• China's debt restructuring practices, particularly concerning Hambantota Port and CPEC, are presented as contradicting its image as a magnanimous actor.
• India's strategy should focus on demonstrating its empirical record in Global South forums rather than engaging in rhetorical competition with Beijing.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Global South: A term referring to countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, often characterized by developing economies and shared historical experiences.
• BRICS: An acronym for an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, aimed at promoting economic cooperation.
• Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): A global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government to invest in nearly 150 countries and international organizations.
• China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): A collection of infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative that connects China's Xinjiang province to Pakistan's Gwadar Port.