Eyes West: China looks to the Indian subcontinent

Last week, the US and China reached a partial agreement over their long running trade war, bringing a sigh of relief to the global economy. Like the US, the trade war has harmed China’s economy, but Beijing has seemed willing to weather the storm as it continues to pursue a grander - more global - strategy. A series of meetings between world leaders and China’s president last week exemplified this. While negotiators were hammering away at a trade deal, Xi set his eyes west to the Indian-subcontinent.

Xi started at home on Wednesday by meeting the prime minister of China’s closest partner in the region, Pakistan. Both countries enjoy tight relations in everything from economics to national security. During Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit, Xi ensured the longevity of their harmonious relationship by affirming continued support for Pakistan.

On Friday, Xi flew to India where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Unlike Pakistan, India is traditionally more of a US partner and a country that shares a rocky past with China. Along with a series of other issues, their countries’ relations soured further in August after India revoked autonomous rights for the controversial territory of Kashmir, upsetting Pakistan which also claims the region. Xi’s visit suggests that he wants to make amends with India, and for the weekend Xi and Modi put aside the Kashmir matter to find common ground in other areas, including shared opposition to terrorism and a desire to address economic issues.

After finishing his meetings with Modi on Saturday, Xi headed to Nepal, a Himalayan state nestled between India on one side and China on the other. For years, India has enjoyed greater access to Nepal thanks to its geographical positioning. China is separated from Nepal by the Himalayan mountains. But modern technology promises to change that dynamic, and on Sunday Xi made an effort to bring Nepal closer to China by agreeing to 20 deals and almost $500 million in aid with his Nepalese counterparts. Both sides described Xi’s visit as an important meeting that built stronger ties between the two countries.

By Sunday evening, Xi had finished a series of successful meetings. He had reinforced support for Pakistan, broken the ice for better relations with India, and brought Nepal a bit closer to China. While the world celebrated a breakthrough in trade negotiations, Xi appreciated a different victory. In less than a week, he had ensured the ongoing spread of Chinese influence beyond its borders. It was yet another step in many more to come, but one just as important as the ones he has taken in the past and the ones he’ll take in the future.

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

US and China reach a partial trade deal

It’s not the big deal some hoped for, but it’s a start. The US and China reached what President Trump called the first step toward a much larger deal aimed at resolving the countries’ ongoing trade war.

Pakistan’s prime minister visits China

But before negotiators reached a deal, China’s president, Xi Jingping, met with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Beijing on Wednesday. China expressed continued support for its closest partner in the region. How China plans to balance relations between India and Pakistan, regional rivals, waits to be seen, but Xi seems inclined to find a way as he seeks better ties with both nations.

Xi Jinping reaches out to India

After meeting Khan in Beijing, Xi flew to India on Friday to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both countries put aside years of differences to lay the foundation for closer ties. Much progress still needs to be made, but Xi seems willing to make the effort.

China brings Nepal closer

Xi ended his series of meetings in Nepal, where he reached 20 agreements and pledged nearly $500 million in aid. One of those deals included a project to create a breakthrough railway that passes through the Himalayan mountains to connect Tibet with Nepal. Xi’s trip was also the first visit by a Chinese leader to the nation in 23 years, suggesting China’s desire to bring Nepal closer to its orbit.