Nepal, Nov. 6 -- The recent meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump has reignited debate over the future of global power transitions. Beyond the symbolic handshake, the encounter represents an attempt to redefine the grammar of great-power engagement at a time of fragmentation, economic uncertainty and deep mistrust. Whether read as reconciliation or recalibration, the dialogue reflects how Washington and Beijing are wrestling to shape the next global order-one that will inevitably affect the Indo-Pacific region and smaller states like Nepal.

Beyond the optics

While much commentary has focused on optics and personal chemistry, the meeting's underlying message was clear: Confrontation without communicat...