Is China trying to refurbish its global image as Xi speaks to Zelenskyy?

From the everchanging canvas of global affairs, here are a couple of significant global developments this week. This week indeed remained dynamic from global politics’ point of view. On one hand, another chapter in the Russia-Ukraine war opened, on the other hand, Xi spoke to Zelenskyy over phone first time after Russia initiated war against Ukraine. Last month, he visited Moscow too to meet his trusted friend, Putin. Is China trying to change its global image? Then, Sudan has increased the tensions for the entire world where military and paramilitary forces are fighting over the issue of political control.India is successfully executing Operation Kaveri to evacuate over 3,000 Indians stuck in Sudan. And, amid this all, Biden has announced his candidature to bid for the second term as the US President. The US is now gearing up for the next presidential elections. The President of South Korea visited the US while the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif won the vote of confidence. A mixed bag of developments, challenges, achievements and opportunities.

SUDAN TURMOIL
Why clashes in Sudan? Well, these intense clashes between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary force, which have killed hundreds of people and displaced thousands, did not start in a jiffy. Sudan is facing this crisis since 2019 when the army overthrew Sudan’s long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir to end his nearly 30-year-rule. Bashir enjoyed ruling the country for 30 long years after executing a military coup in Sudan in 1989. Sudan remains a geo-strategically important country for the entire world. With its 900 km long coastline, Sudan borders the Red Sea, the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa. It remains vital for the western lobby, West Asian countries and Russia as well for its location and agricultural wealth.

RUSSIAN-UKRAINE WAR
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war shows the ‘realist’ face of the world only. As per the latest news reports, at least 16 people have died in the latest missile and drone attack of Russia in Ukraine. Russia has intensified its attacks even on the cities of Ukraine and four children are injured and hospitalised after coming in contact with Russian leaf-like mines in Ukraine. So far, no diplomatic efforts seem to be working in case of this dreadful war. However, Xi’s visit to Moscow last month and now his conversation with Zelensky over phone is the latest development. In his first telephonic conversation with Zelensky after Russia started the war against Ukraine, Xi discussed various topics with Zelensky as Zelenskyy stated after their talk. It seems China is trying to portray itself as a peacemaker, and Russia is promoting this, as Russia has appreciated this effort of Xi. Zelensky seems to be happy with this talk. He has stated how he and Xi discussed the “ways of possible cooperation to establish a just and sustainable peace for Ukraine.” But he has also made it clear that “no peace can be established at the cost of territorial compromises”. What an interesting scenario! China, known for what it has been doing in Asia, and who is a trusted ally of Russia, is discussing ways to establish peace with Ukraine. And, Russia is appreciating China for this. I don’t know when will Zelenskyy understand that he is fighting a war on behalf of NATO led by the US, and his country is completely devastated. I also don’t know when China will apply this lesson of promoting peace to its own activities in the Asian region, but so far, I only know one thing, this war is taking a heavy toll on humanity and must be stopped. The way this war has been fuelled by the US; I am hoping for something substantial in context of Russia-Ukraine war after the US elections.

BIDEN BID FOR 2ND TERM
Biden has announced his bid as the candidate for the second term of US president. Robert Kennedy Jr.is another democrat candidate. Although Biden seems to have a smooth way for the upcoming elections, his age factor remains a question mark for his party as well as the people of the US. Trump has also claimed his candidature from the Republican party where several other names are doing the rounds. Nikki Haley, Asa Hutchinson and Vivek Ramaswamy are the potential contenders. 76 years old Trump is facing legal hassles too, while 80 years old Biden needs to come over the challenge of his age factor. Who knows if both the parties have dark horses? Let’s wait and watch.

SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT IN US
The President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol is in the US for an official six-day visit. He has received a grand welcome from the government of the US. Containing North Korea remains the most prioritised common objective for both the nations, and both President Biden and Yeol have discussed to come up with a defence treaty to counter North Korea. North Korea has already conducted more than 10 missile tests this year itself, posing a severe security threat not only to South Korea, to the regional as well as global security. Both the US and South Korea have agreed to regular deployment of strategic and defence resources by the US in South Korea, which has not happened after 1980s.
I don’t know how much help will South Korea get by this, but in this way, the US is increasing its footstep in the East Asian region, which also needs to be kept in the mind. It is a typical habit of the US to enter into a region, develop a situation and step back. Afghanistan is a classic example.

SHEBAZ SECURES VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
From Afghanistan, I just recall Pakistan! A nation that miserable failed politically, socially and economically due to its wrong and malign policies. Today, Pakistan is not only struggling to change its negative image that it earned internationally by promoting terrorism, it is also struggling to survive as a nation. Apart from the critical economic crisis, Pakistan is also struggling with frail political system. This week, its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif finally succeeded in securing a vote of confidence from the National Assembly. 180 lawmakers expressed their full confidence in his leadership amid the increasing conflict between the government and the top judiciary. On the other hand, the ousted Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan also took the sigh of relief as he was granted bail till 3 May in a mutiny case. The case was registered against him for spreading hatred between the institutions and the public and conducting character assassination of a senior officer of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). There are multiple criminal cases registered against him, and with Shehbaz winning the vote of confidence, tensions may increase for him. I think, the leaders of Pakistan need to focus on their nation’s survival as the top-most priority instead of getting involved in dirty political fights.
Need of the hour is to think ideally, but the global politics keeps taking twists and turns based on the realistic geo-political situations, consequences, and the ambitions of the nations. Every week comes with surprising developments. So, let’s hope for the positive outcomes by next week.
Dr. Anshu Joshi teaches international studies at Jawarharlal Nehru University. Jaswant Singh Kain is an expert of Korean peninsula.