Xi Jinping Calls for a New Global Order at Summit with Putin and Modi

At a moment of mounting global uncertainty, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a forceful case for reshaping international politics and economics at a high-profile summit alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The gathering, held in Beijing, showcased not just ceremony but a vision: a multipolar world order designed to dilute U.S. dominance and empower emerging powers.

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Xi’s call for a “new era of shared leadership” came as the United States grapples with unpredictability under President Donald Trump’s foreign policy decisions. Against this backdrop, the alignment of China, Russia, and India highlights shifting alliances that could redefine the balance of global power.

The Summit: A Stage for Multipolar Ambitions

The summit, attended by leaders from three of the world’s largest nations, was as much about optics as policy. The trio stood united on stage, signaling to the international community that the world is no longer unipolar.

Xi’s keynote speech framed the summit’s theme: building a multipolar world order based on cooperation rather than confrontation. He stressed that no single nation should dictate the rules of global governance, a pointed rebuke to decades of U.S.-led influence.

According to Reuters, Xi argued for stronger partnerships in trade, energy, and technology to reduce dependency on Western systems and institutions.

Putin’s Strategic Endorsement

For Vladimir Putin, the summit provided a platform to escape international isolation following Russia’s war in Ukraine. He endorsed Xi’s vision wholeheartedly, emphasizing that Russia and China share a “historic responsibility” to build alternatives to what he called “Western hegemony.”

Putin praised India’s growing role in global affairs, noting that Moscow seeks deeper cooperation with both Beijing and New Delhi in energy and defense. His remarks echoed Russia’s long-standing desire to pivot toward Asia as Western sanctions tighten.

Modi’s Balancing Act

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence was arguably the most intriguing. India has traditionally walked a careful line between the West and its Eurasian neighbors. While strengthening ties with the United States in defense and technology, India has maintained energy and trade relations with both Russia and China.

At the summit, Modi avoided overtly anti-Western language. Instead, he framed India’s participation as an opportunity to promote “strategic autonomy”—a concept that allows India to engage with multiple power centers without being tied to one bloc.

Still, his presence alongside Xi and Putin sent a clear message: India sees value in exploring multipolar frameworks, particularly when it comes to regional security and trade.

Economic Cooperation: A Central Theme

Beyond political symbolism, the summit delivered tangible commitments on economic cooperation. Xi, Putin, and Modi agreed to expand trade in local currencies, reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar. This move aligns with ongoing efforts by the BRICS bloc—which includes Brazil and South Africa—to challenge dollar dominance in global trade.

Energy partnerships were also highlighted. Russia pledged increased oil and gas supplies to both China and India, cementing its role as a critical energy provider amid Western sanctions. Meanwhile, China promised infrastructure investments across South Asia, with India signaling cautious openness to new projects that align with its development goals.

These agreements reflect a broader strategy: creating an economic architecture resilient to Western pressure.

Concerns Over U.S. Unpredictability

The backdrop to the summit was global concern over the United States’ unpredictable foreign policy under Trump. From tariffs on allies to fluctuating commitments in NATO and Asia, Washington’s inconsistency has created openings for alternative leadership.

Xi capitalized on this uncertainty by positioning China—and its partners—as stable anchors in a chaotic world. “We must build a system where trust and cooperation replace unilateralism and sanctions,” Xi declared, according to The Guardian.

The message was clear: if the U.S. falters, China is ready to step in.

Strategic Implications: A New Power Triangle

The summit showcased a strategic triangle among China, Russia, and India—three nations that collectively account for nearly 40% of the world’s population and significant portions of global GDP and energy reserves.

For China, the partnership offers legitimacy and allies in its push to reshape global institutions. For Russia, it provides economic lifelines and political allies against Western sanctions. For India, it opens opportunities to diversify trade and reduce dependency on Western supply chains.

Yet, this triangle is not without tensions. India remains wary of China’s regional ambitions, particularly along their disputed Himalayan border. Moscow’s close ties with Beijing also raise concerns in New Delhi about being sidelined. Nonetheless, the summit highlighted a willingness to set aside differences in pursuit of broader goals.

Reactions from the West

Western capitals watched the summit with unease. U.S. officials expressed concern that the alignment of China, Russia, and India could undermine sanctions enforcement and challenge existing security frameworks.

The European Union, meanwhile, issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to “rules-based international order,” a thinly veiled critique of the alternative system Xi envisions.

Analysts warn that while the summit may not immediately shift the global order, it signals a trend toward greater fragmentation. “What we’re seeing is the erosion of a U.S.-centric system,” noted a senior fellow at Brookings Institution. “The future may look less like one dominant superpower and more like competing blocs.”

Historical Context: From Bandung to BRICS

This push for multipolarity is not new. Developing nations have long sought alternatives to Western dominance. From the Bandung Conference of 1955 to the formation of BRICS, the desire for a balanced international system has been a recurring theme.

What makes the current moment unique is the convergence of global crises—war in Ukraine, trade disputes, climate change, and technological competition—all accelerating the search for new frameworks. Xi’s summit with Putin and Modi represents the most explicit articulation yet of a vision for a post-Western order.

Challenges to a Multipolar World

Despite the rhetoric, achieving a truly multipolar world faces obstacles. Trust among China, Russia, and India remains fragile, with competing interests in Asia and beyond. India’s closer ties with the U.S. complicate its full embrace of Xi’s vision.

Moreover, building alternative institutions requires more than speeches. Financing, governance, and enforcement mechanisms remain underdeveloped compared to Western-led systems like the IMF or NATO.

Still, the momentum is undeniable. As crises multiply, countries may increasingly hedge their bets by engaging with multiple power centers—a trend that strengthens the appeal of Xi’s multipolar pitch.

The Road Ahead

The summit concluded with a joint declaration calling for “greater inclusivity in global governance” and “enhanced cooperation in trade, technology, and security.” While light on specifics, the declaration underscores the leaders’ shared intent to reshape the international order.

Looking ahead, observers expect:

• Expanded BRICS influence, with new members and financial mechanisms.

• Increased defense cooperation, particularly between China and Russia.

• India’s cautious engagement, balancing between West and East.

• Continued Western pushback, with sanctions, alliances, and counter-strategies.

Whether Xi’s vision materializes remains uncertain. But the summit signaled that the world is already moving toward a more contested and complex geopolitical landscape.

Conclusion

Xi Jinping’s summit with Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi was more than a diplomatic gathering—it was a declaration of intent. By advocating for a new global order, Xi placed China at the center of efforts to reshape international politics and economics.

For Russia, the summit offered much-needed partners in a time of isolation. For India, it provided space to explore alternatives without abandoning its ties to the West. Together, the three leaders symbolized the shifting contours of global power, underscoring that the U.S.-led system is no longer unchallenged.

As the dust settles, one truth becomes clear: the global order is in flux, and the outcome will shape the 21st century.