World · South & Central Asia · 3 hrs ago
Former leaders urge middle powers to become strategic chokepoints
Former leaders and diplomats urged middle powers to become strategic chokepoints at a forum in India on Wednesday.
They said this could help smaller and mid-sized countries protect their independence as rivalry between the United States and China grows.
A US tariff conflict has affected both allies and rivals, adding to uncertainty for countries caught between the two powers.
The trade tensions are unfolding alongside volatility in global energy markets linked to the US-Israel war on Iran, which the account says is in its eighth month.
Countries fear being squeezed out of global decisions as Washington and Beijing reshape their relationship.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Washington last month, adding to those concerns.
The forum speakers' proposed approach is for middle powers to become so important that larger powers cannot ignore them.
Former leaders and top diplomats urged middle powers to become “indispensable” chokepoints to protect their strategic autonomy.
They made the assessment at a forum in India on Wednesday.
They said middle powers face pressure from rivalry between the United States and China.
The article links the concern to a US tariff war and volatility in global energy markets.
Changes in relations between Beijing and Washington have raised concerns that countries in between could be excluded from global decision-making.
- Who
- Former leaders and top diplomats urged middle powers to act.
- What
- They called on middle powers to become “indispensable” chokepoints to safeguard strategic autonomy.
- When
- Wednesday. The article was published on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- A forum in India.
- Why
- To help middle powers protect their strategic autonomy amid US-China rivalry and geopolitical uncertainty.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Washington.
Former leaders and top diplomats urged middle powers to become “indispensable” chokepoints at a forum in India.
- Forum location
- India
- Publication date
- October 14, 2026
- US president
- Donald Trump
- Chinese president
- Xi Jinping
- Meeting location
- Washington
What people are saying
indispensable