From strengthening diplomatic ties to asserting independence in international organizations, Asian nations are collaborating and asserting influence across major geopolitical issues.
Key developments, like India’s tense relationship with Canada, improving ties between India and China, and Russia’s leadership in BRICS, all show a broader Asian unity and resilience. With regional cooperation and new economic partnerships on the rise, the world may now be entering what many call the “Asian century.
Asian Influence on the Rise
The world has moved from European dominance to America, and now it seems to be shifting toward Asia. Power doesn’t vanish; it simply reappears in different ways. Asia’s growing influence can be seen in several recent global events.
India-Canada Tensions
Relations between India and Canada worsened in September 2023 after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen.
Following these accusations, India and Canada expelled each other’s diplomats in October 2024, marking a low point in their relationship. Trudeau suggested that India’s intelligence agency, RAW, was behind the murder, and he shared evidence with allies like the United States.
The situation has put a strain on India’s relationships with Western countries, especially since no nation, including India, tolerates separatist movements. The Indian government strongly opposes any support for such movements, and the Sikh separatist movement remains a concern for Indian security, particularly because it has support within the Sikh diaspora in Canada, the UK, and the US. This strained relationship may push India toward closer ties with Asian powers.
India-China Relations
While India’s relations with Canada and the West have worsened, India and China are working to improve their relationship. After years of border tension, including a violent clash in the Galwan Valley in 2020, the two countries recently reached an agreement to patrol the border peacefully. Both nations’ foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to resolving the border dispute, though this does not mean all issues are settled.
This cooperation is promising, as it may open up new opportunities for economic and diplomatic collaboration between Asia’s two largest economies.
Russia’s Influence at the BRICS Summit
The 16th BRICS Summit, held in October 2024 in Kazan, Russia, highlighted Asia’s growing power. Russian President Vladimir Putin used the summit to show strength against the West. The summit included heads of state from China, India, and about two dozen other nations, with India recognized as a leader of the Global South. Russia’s economic influence was on display, pushing back against Western efforts to isolate it due to the Ukraine war. BRICS, representing a large portion of the world’s population and economy, is emerging as a counterweight to Western influence.
BRICS and similar organizations challenge Western dominance and push for a balanced global order. Although China holds significant influence within BRICS, it provides a platform for countries like India to voice concerns outside of the G7. BRICS is also building alternatives to Western financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
The SCO, which held its 23rd meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, in October 2024, is another sign of Asia’s increasing influence. Originally founded in 2001 by China, Russia, and Central Asian nations, the SCO aims to counterbalance NATO. With India and Pakistan joining in 2017, the organization now reflects a broader Asian unity. The latest meeting emphasized economic cooperation, regional security, and peaceful dispute resolution.
Asian nations are also creating their own trade and transport networks, such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and India’s North-South transport corridor. These initiatives reduce Asia’s dependence on Western structures and diversify global trade routes.
Nepal’s Position in the New World Order
As tensions between India and China ease, Nepal has a unique opportunity. If India and China maintain peaceful relations, Nepal stands to benefit economically from trade and cooperation with both neighbors. Nepal will have to carefully balance its relationships to avoid conflicts with either China or India. Other parts of the world, especially in the West, are relatively unaffected by ongoing wars, while countries like Nepal must navigate these complexities to prioritize their national interests.
These recent developments signal a shifting world order, with Asia playing an increasingly central role. As global politics evolves, it seems more likely that the “Asian century” is indeed on its way.
