Arguing in favour of closer ties between India and China, prominent American economist Jeffrey Sachs said the two countries could play a major role in creating a “new world order” as the US grows increasingly “unstable”. Speaking at the India Today BRICS Roundtable 2026, Sachs stressed that China has enormous interests tied to India’s success, which he said is one of the key reasons Chinese President Xi Jinping is travelling to Delhi for the BRICS Summit.
India is preparing to host its fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, marking the country’s biggest international event since the 2023 G20 summit. One of the major highlights will be the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping. Xi’s visit will be his first to India in seven years and comes amid a gradual improvement in bilateral relations following the deadly Galwan Valley clash.
‘INDIA SHOULD LEAVE QUAD’
Sachs said stronger relations between India and China could contribute to a more balanced and multipolar international system. He went further, suggesting that India should exit the Quad and concentrate on building stronger ties with China. The Quad is an informal grouping of India, the US, Japan and Australia aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
“China's stakes in India's success are enormous. US is bearing down on China. This won't work. The US can no more gets it way,” Sachs said.
The economist also challenged the view that India’s progress necessarily requires it to compete with China. While recognising challenges such as the border dispute and concerns over China’s relationship with Pakistan, Sachs maintained that both countries have strong reasons to improve their ties.
“India is on a rapid development trajectory. India is not threatened by China,” he said.
Sachs also acknowledged that China cannot simply replace the US or Britain as a single dominant global power.
“China is in no position to run the world, like Britain or the US. We are in a world of multiple powers, where India is one,” he said.
According to Sachs, this makes India a potentially important partner for China in reshaping the international system.
“India is a great partner in remaking the world in a better way. That's why Xi is coming to India,” he said.
‘US DELUSION IS THE BIGGEST DANGER’
Sachs described what he called American “delusion” as the “biggest danger” facing the world.
“We are in a multipolar world. The US has a unilateral mindset. This is a dangerous mindset,” he said.
Describing India as one of the world’s “four superpowers”, Sachs said major powers should focus on coexistence rather than competing to establish unilateral dominance.
He argued that Washington should not have the authority to decide which countries India can trade with. Sachs said the BRICS Summit should send this message clearly to the US.
“The BRICS needs to say we are not anti-West, but anti-imperialism. The US can't dictate to India on doing business with Iran or Russia. The BRICS is big enough to tell the US to calm down,” he said.
THREE PRIORITIES FOR THE BRICS SUMMIT
With India preparing to host the BRICS Summit, Sachs outlined three key priorities for the grouping.
First, he said BRICS should adopt a stronger role in protecting the multilateral international system, particularly the United Nations. The group should also firmly oppose what he described as a “hegemonic world order”.
“The BRICS should be a defender of the multilateral system. Its role should be to stand up and say we won't accept a hegemonic world,” Sachs said.
Second, Sachs called on BRICS to urge the US to “back off” from the Iran war and oppose unilateral military interventions.
Third, he proposed establishing a multi-currency payment mechanism that could reduce Washington’s ability to impose unilateral sanctions.
