War induced global security conundrum is the telling cohort in shaping realities which seemed distinct possibilities in recent past. The no-limits partnerships of Beijing- Moscow is an evolving reality in this cue. Does it speak of a new world order? on this sequel the Forum for Global Studies, a multi-disciplinary think tank based in New Delhi organised a podcast on “Beijing-Moscow’s no-limits partnerships: Does it signal a new world order?” on 8th April, 2023. Eminent speaker Dr. Vasily Kashin, Director at the Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia spoke on this emerging issue. The session was moderated by Col. Manoj Kumar Singh, Director Research, Forum for Global Studies, New Delhi.
As the Chinese President Xi Jinping led the state reception in Kremlin and stated the old friendship of Beijing-Moscow, this is expressive of the ascending magnitude in the relation. how do you trace the upturn here? Responding here Dr. Kashin alluded the reason of their common stand on anti-USA hostility. The United States of America dominated world order and the hegemony have pushed the countries of its opposition to come closer and fight the way out. The rising trade between Russia-China, investments in the industrial build-up and the growing defence investments are the attempts to ascend towards answering the evolving realities. The focus lies on more industrial capacity build-up to maintain economic stability and to fight the war with relatively less costs and losses.
Won’t the Beijing’s trade with the west stand affected after siding with Moscow? Elaborating this Dr. Kashin threw a glimpse of history that the trade volume has always been a poor stabiliser for bilateral relations. As despite significant Japanese trade with USA, Japan attacked USA during the world war. As the China wants to achieve its goal of ‘made in China by 2025’, the United States sees it possible sake of rivalry. Forging a trade war against the China is always a locus of United States to maintain its domination across the world. China’s attempt to displace United States from its hegemony is the sprouting verity. Doesn’t the expanding NATO elevate a nascent hegemony of the west than Moscow? Arguing here, Dr. Kashin stated that the joining of Sweden and Finland in NATO hardly changes any security situation of Moscow. Sweden being a neutral country on paper has maintained a sound touch with NATO since 1950s through joint military exercises and participation in military planning with NATO.
In Moscow’s strategic calculus, these countries are mapped as extension of NATO rather independent strategic partners. How do you accentuate the challenges of approaching new multi-polarity in the world order? here he perceived that the greatest challenge could be further de-stabilisation and split of the global economy into several economic blocks. As the United States has gained success in cutting the Russian economy from the western economy but failed to isolate it from the rest emerging big economies. The unravelling of power variation, shifting centres of strategic milieu and continuous exertion to weaponize trade could lead to real fragmentation of the world economy. When the US is pursuing the policy of quantitative easing, they are exporting inflation to the outside world. Sooner or later, it will take the whole economy to imbalance and will undermine globalisation.
Recently China has brought the Saudi Arab and Iran together to sign a deal, extended a twelve-point agenda to desist the ongoing war. Does this display the nod of China Playing a bigger role in bringing multi-polarity in the world order? responding here Dr. Kashin discerned the gradual transformation of Chinese policies and multiple initiatives taken to respond to newly shaping realities. The Saudi Arabia and Iran deal is a significant attempt performed in the middle east without US participation, this to a great extent presages the willingness of the countries not just the assertiveness of the emerging powers. With unravelling multi-polarity in the world order the urge of a reset in relations is on rise.
Given the time-tested friendship of India-Russia, how do you visualize India’s endeavour in Moscow’s quest of a new world order? Touching upon this Dr. Kashin opined Russia wants to engage with Asia not just China. Russia is genuinely interested in India becoming global super power and another big economic partner. The current situation is throwing new opportunities at a fast pace. The Indian innovation in various industrial engagements is of immense need, he added. The session was initiated with a welcoming note by Vaishnavi Singh, Research Fellow at Forum for Global Studies, New Delhi. At the end a vote of thanks was offered by Nandini Ghosh, Research Fellow at Forum for Global Studies, New Delhi.
Note: This event report is written by Nandini Ghosh, Research Fellow at Forum for Global Studies, New Delhi.