Emerging Powers\' Trends in Foreign Policy: A Comparison of China, India and Brazil

Abstract

As new countries like Brazil, China, and India assume increasingly important roles in global affairs, In the last few decades, the political environment has seen significant upheaval. These nations are dealing with an influence on security arrangements, economic policy, and international governance. They are commonly included into frameworks like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). The foreign policies they implement are a reflection of how they deal with the outside world. according to their different historical legacies, strategic objectives, and financial needs. This study provides a detailed comparison of the foreign policy changes in China, Brazil, and India.This article that also explores their methods, inspirations, and global impacts. However, even though While these three nations share certain characteristics as rising powers, their methods for international relations and diplomacy due to their distinct geographic locations, financial as well as internal political systems and aims.

Introduction

I. Historical Foundations of Foreign Policy

• India: Influenced by colonial history, independence struggle, and leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, India pursued strategic independence via non-alignment during the Cold War, balancing relations with both the US and USSR. It founded the Non-Aligned Movement, engaged economically with both Western and Soviet blocs, and liberalized its economy in the 1990s.

• China: Transitioned from Mao-era isolation to Deng Xiaoping’s pragmatic global engagement, focusing on economic reforms, international cooperation, and ambitious projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to expand influence worldwide.

• Brazil: Post-colonial identity shaped Brazil’s foreign policy with emphasis on South-South cooperation, regional leadership in Latin America through Mercosur, and commitment to diplomacy and international law after democratization in 1985.

II. Regional Policies

• India: Prioritizes South Asian regional stability through programs like "Neighbourhood First," balancing tense relations with Pakistan and China while fostering cooperation with neighbors like Nepal and Bangladesh. Supports regional groups like SAARC and BIMSTEC.

• China: Seeks economic and security dominance in Asia-Pacific via BRI and trade agreements (e.g., RCEP), but faces territorial disputes in the South China Sea causing regional tensions. Uses economic power to influence ASEAN countries.

• Brazil: Leads South American economic and environmental diplomacy, strengthening ties through Mercosur and cooperation with neighbors, despite occasional political conflicts (e.g., Venezuela crisis).

III. Strategic Objectives

• India: Seeks strategic autonomy, regional stability, active Indo-Pacific engagement (e.g., Quad alliance), and balanced relations with global powers including Russia, the US, and the EU.

• China: Aims for economic and technological dominance, expansion of global influence via BRI, assertiveness in Asia-Pacific territorial disputes, and challenges US-led international systems.

• Brazil: Focuses on regional leadership, environmental diplomacy due to the Amazon, participation in BRICS to reduce dependence on Western financial institutions, and fostering South-South economic collaboration.

IV. Challenges and Limitations

• India: Ongoing border conflicts with Pakistan and China, internal political and economic challenges (inequality, bureaucracy), and limited global influence despite economic growth.

• China: Faces international criticism over human rights, territorial assertiveness causing regional instability, distrust from Western countries, and risks from economic dependency on export markets.

• Brazil: Economic volatility due to commodity dependence, political instability, limited military power, and restricted global diplomatic influence.

V. Comparative Analysis of Emerging Powers

• Commonalities: Support a multipolar world to reduce Western dominance; emphasize South-South cooperation; prioritize trade and economic diplomacy; and maintain strategic autonomy from major powers.

• Differences:

  • India balances regional and global diplomacy with a defensive military posture.

  • China pursues aggressive regional expansionism backed by a strong state-driven economy and military.

  • Brazil focuses on regional leadership and soft power with a market-driven, commodity-based economy and minimal military emphasis.

VI. Global Impact

• India strengthens Indo-Pacific security, balances ties between East and West, and mediates between global powers.

• China challenges US dominance, reshapes international economic networks via BRI, but faces containment efforts from alliances like QUAD and NATO.

• Brazil raises Latin America’s profile in global governance, promotes South-South ties, and supplies resources but lacks a clear global geopolitical agenda.

Conclusion

Each of Brazil, China, and India has distinct historical legacies, geopolitical needs, andeconomic objectives that show up in their foreign policy paths. In spite of the fact thataiming to maintain their strategic independence and expand their global influence, the The strategies employed by the three nations differ slightly. China\'s foreign policy is characterised by assertiveness, particularly in territorial assertiveness in areas like economic diplomacy via the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the South China Sea. It is Military modernisation, economic statecraft, and strategic planning all contribute to the definition of strategy partnerships with the intention of changing the global power structure. On the other hand, India takes a multifaceted strategy, balancing its longstanding alliances with the US, Russia, and other regional partners, as well as non-alignment. The pursuit of a broader global role is demonstrated by its emphasis on economic expansion and South African regional leadership. Asia, as well as active participation in multilateral forums of the G20, BRICS, and QUAD. Being the biggest South American nation, Brazil takes a multilateral, soft power-driven strategy. focusing on UNASUR and Mercosur as regional leaders while simultaneously interacting with international organisations such as the WTO and BRICS. But its foreign policy is more impulsive and frequently influenced by cycles of the economy and domestic political changes. All three nations advocate for increased South-South cooperation despite these differences, a global governance with greater representation and a multipolar international order. Nevertheless, their ability to navigate 21st-century complex geopolitics and their complex economic Their ability to affect international norms will depend on their level of domestic political stability.Their responses to global concerns such as shifting climate patterns, technological advancements, and relationship between trade and their ability to effectively manage regional disputes and strategic alliances, is likely to impact future developments.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Arya Kumari. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.