Russia's Putin in India with Modi, France's Macron in China with Xi | The Pulse 12/4

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have strengthened their partnership during a recent meeting in New Delhi, expanding their collaboration beyond defense and energy sectors. This development occurs amid increasing pressure from the United States for India to distance itself from Moscow.

China's crackdown on borrowing by local governments has led state-run entities in affluent provinces to seek expensive credit from shadow banks, raising concerns about the risks associated with this opaque segment of the financial system. This move follows President Xi Jinping's efforts to manage debt levels and stabilize the economy amid growing financial pressures.

Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's special envoy, is set to meet with Ukrainian negotiators following unproductive discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This meeting aims to brief Kyiv's leadership on the outcomes of the Kremlin talks and explore further diplomatic avenues regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping recently met, where Macron warned of a potential 'disintegration' of the world order due to rising trade tensions and the need for multilateralism. This meeting underscores the growing concerns regarding global economic stability and cooperation between major powers.

Former President Donald Trump described the recent meeting between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin as 'reasonably good.' This meeting is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the conflict in Ukraine, highlighting the complexities of international relations in the current geopolitical climate.