From South Asia to Latin America, chaos fuels power struggles as the US, China, and Russia vie for influence amid growing distrust.
By Annpurna Nautiyal
The world is at a crossroads of chaos, conflict, tensions and instability due to various factors like economic sanctions, trade wars, military wars, regime change, growing natural disasters, growing anti-migrant sentiments, racial profiling and violence.
The Indian Subcontinent is reeling under regime change and violent clashes. In Nepal, instability has been promoted by a widespread Gen Z movement triggered by curbs on social media platforms, economic inequality, corruption among political leadership, and the formation of an interim government in the aftermath — which India has welcomed.
Bangladesh witnessed the August 2024 student movement that overthrew the government of Sheikh Hasina and brought an interim government due to corruption. In Sri Lanka, violent protests over growing inflation, inequality, blackouts and bans led to Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s removal.
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Meanwhile, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a terrorist attack on tourists in Kashmir, which triggered Operation Sindoor and a short conflict. These movements in India’s neighbourhood are fuelled mostly by internal problems but also encouraged by countries that see instability in India’s backyard as an opportunity to expand their influence.
Globally, the Russia–Ukraine war continues. Russian drone strikes in Poland, a NATO ally, signal that Russia is not interested in ending the war but in expanding it to other NATO countries. The prolonged Israel–Hamas conflict, with spillover into Qatar and backed by the US, adds to the turbulence.
In Europe, France has been hit by chaos and violence due to worsening economic conditions, leading to the ouster of its Prime Minister. London saw its biggest anti-migrant rally in decades under anti-Islamist leader Tommy Robinson. In Japan, the Prime Minister resigned for failing to stabilise the economy.
Norway saw a narrow election victory for the Labour Party, but right-leaning youth angered by high living costs and distrust of political promises enabled the Progress Party to emerge as the main opposition.
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In the Americas, US military presence has grown in the Caribbean Sea off Venezuela to fight drug unions designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Washington views Venezuela’s rigid government as a source of instability, migration and narcotics trafficking.
All these examples highlight growing anger against vague leadership, monopolistic policies, and the clash of ideas even in democracies — as well as the role and responses of big powers in different regions.
The US considers Latin America as its sphere of influence. Venezuela, with its vast oil reserves, is central to this view. But governance challenges, inequality, and instability in Latin American countries make them easy targets for China and Russia.
China’s trade, infrastructure investment and dual-use technology have created dependency and debt. Russia provides military assistance to anti-American regimes and cyber operations to undermine democracy.
Seizing this opportunity, China hosted Latin American and Caribbean leaders in Beijing in May 2025, where President Xi Jinping announced a $9 billion investment credit line. The US and its allies fear such moves are part of Beijing’s push to separate Taiwan, increase Indo-Pacific influence, and support regimes like Cuba and Venezuela.
In response, President Donald Trump has adopted assertive military and economic measures in Latin America. In September 2025, the US Navy even carried out a kinetic strike in international waters, killing 11 suspected narco-terrorists.
But experts fear such harsh measures may push these countries further towards China. US tariffs and sanctions have not only destabilized global trade but also strengthened the cooperation of Russia, India and China.
This was visible during the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, where India — a victim of high US tariffs — participated alongside Russia and China.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, angered by Trump’s tariffs and criticism of Russian oil imports, met Putin and Xi. The optics suggested closer alignment, though Modi avoided China’s military parade, signaling India’s desire to balance ties with the US.
India has tried to avoid direct confrontation, issuing measured responses to US statements. Modi also skipped the BRICS Plus summit, hinting India still values ties with Washington.
Yet Trump’s remarks have been inconsistent. On September 5, he posted on TRUTH Social that “we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China.” Hours later, he told reporters the US had not lost India.
Modi responded by praising Trump’s friendship, saying he “deeply appreciates and reciprocates Trump’s sentiments.” But on September 12, Trump admitted that the 50% tariff on India was a “big deal” that had caused a rift.
These abrupt statements and policies risk undermining trust. Even if disputes over Russian oil and tariffs are settled, India may not view the US as a reliable strategic partner for some time.
Meanwhile, China continues to benefit. Excelling in semiconductors, manufacturing, military equipment and loans, Beijing has won global trust despite US tariffs.
If the US wishes to promote peace, it must stand firmly with democracies and abandon abrupt policies that weaken alliances. America also needs stability at home, shaken further by the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
Only through consistent and responsible leadership can the US regain trust, restore global peace, and ensure that India — the world’s largest democracy — stands with it rather than drifting away.
(The Writer is Former Vice Chancellor, HNB Garhwal Central University, Srinagar, Garhwal, Uttarakhand)
