### A Turning Point: Modi and Xi Meet Amidst Changing Geopolitics

### Following a hard-won border agreement, the leaders' discussions may recalibrate regional dynamics and shift global alignments.

In a significant development for international relations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for the first time in over five years during the 16th annual BRICS summit in Russia. This encounter comes shortly after both nations finalized a deal regarding their contentious Himalayan border, a site of past military clashes which strained their relationship.

The leaders' meeting symbolizes a potential warming of ties between India and China, both of which have been cautious in their engagements following the escalation of conflicts in 2020. Modi's government had leaned towards the United States through the Quad security alliance, complicating the already fraught nature of India-China relations.

The summit presents a pivotal moment for the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—whose influence has grown as they seek alternatives to Western-centric forums like the G7. The group aims to amplify voices from developing nations, yet struggles to achieve consensus due to divergent interests that characterize its largest members.

China promotes BRICS as a platform to challenge U.S. dominance globally, promoting its narrative as a leader of the Global South. Conversely, India advocates for a cooperative yet non-antagonistic approach that seeks to maintain ties with Western powers while asserting its own leadership role.

During the summit's roundtable discussions, the participating leaders touched upon critical economic issues, including efforts to create alternative financial systems disengaged from the U.S. dollar's influence. Amid these conversations, President Vladimir Putin introduced a proposal for a BRICS-controlled grain exchange, a response to the rising commodity prices exacerbated by the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

The outcomes of the summit could have enduring implications on the geopolitical landscape, reshaping alliances and economic interactions in an increasingly multipolar world.