Brazil and India undermine the Belt and Road Initiative: key Global South players oppose China’s global influence strategy

On October 30, 2024, Brazil rejected China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The decision was made on the eve of Xi Jinping’s planned visit to Brazil, followed by a similar decision by India. Brazil’s leadership has expressed concern that joining the BRI could jeopardize national sovereignty.

The demarche of Brazil, whose President Lula da Silva has also recently refused to go to Kazan for the BRICS summit. Most of this association’s members have fundamental disagreements, which makes them unable to consolidate their opposition to the democratic bloc.

Instead of joining the BRI, Brazil intends to combine elements of this initiative with its own infrastructure projects while maintaining autonomy in its relations with Chinese investors.