The Oksenberg Symposium examined the strategic dynamics among China, Russia, India, and the U.S., highlighting the strengthening of China-Russia ties, the delicate balance India maintains, and the implications of the Trump administration’s foreign policy. Panelists voiced concerns over shifting relationships and the risks posed to global stability and U.S. influence.
In the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, discussions regarding the strategic dynamics among China, Russia, India, and the United States have gained increased significance. The recent reaffirmation of partnership between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping emphasizes their coordination on foreign policy and trade, despite concerns regarding Washington’s reliability under President Trump. As India navigates the repercussions of U.S. tariffs, Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to the White House failed to secure anticipated concessions.
At the 2025 Oksenberg Symposium, titled “China’s Strategic Relationships,” experts convened to analyze these evolving dynamics and strategic adjustments from respective nations. Moderated by Jean Oi from APARC, notable panelists included Da Wei, Alex Gabuev, Sumit Ganguly, and Michael McFaul, all contributing valuable insights under Chatham House rules, which encouraged open dialogue without attribution.
The panelists highlighted a burgeoning alignment between Russia and China across various fronts, revealing a significant dependency of Russia on China since the Ukraine conflict began. This close partnership remains robust due to mutual distrust of Western nations, with China carefully avoiding explicit condemnation of the war to maintain stability in relations with Russia.
India, managing its relationships with the U.S. and China, finds itself in a challenging position. The U.S.-India partnership, while growing stronger due to shared concerns about China, is influenced by a historical distrust stemming from India’s Cold War experiences. Concurrently, India’s complex relationship with China faces challenges posed by military inequality and strategic ties between China and Pakistan.
The symposium also addressed U.S.-China relations, underscoring the challenges posed by China’s ascendancy to global power. Trump’s administration framed China as a strategic adversary, inciting a new period of economic decoupling. Panelists conveyed that such framing has strained China’s ties with other nations, though China seeks a balanced approach in its diplomacy with both Russia and India, recognizing the necessity of maintaining healthy relations amid rising tensions.
The analysis revealed that the increasing rivalry among these four nations has significant implications for global stability, heralding a shift toward a multipolar world where national interests dominate. The panelists scrutinized the United States’ evolving foreign policy under Trump, noting a drift from traditional multilateralism towards isolationism, marked by withdrawals from international agreements and a prioritization of “America First” principles.
Concerns were raised regarding the long-term effects of this strategy on U.S. global influence and its ability to address pressing international issues such as climate change and authoritarianism. The symposium concluded with the notion that Trump’s policies may irrevocably alter U.S. relations with global players, and emphasized the importance of navigating these intricate relationships to promote broader stability in an evolving international landscape.
The Oksenberg Symposium presented critical insights into the evolving strategic dynamics between China, Russia, India, and the United States. Panelists highlighted the complexities of these relationships, particularly the growing partnership between China and Russia, the balancing act faced by India, and the implications of U.S. foreign policy shifts under the Trump administration. The discussions underscored the need for careful navigation of international relations to secure national interests and foster global stability in a multipolar world.
Original Source: aparc.fsi.stanford.edu
