DNA Edit: Dancing with China

Of late, India’s relationship with China has become a matter of intense speculations, primarily because of its see-saw nature. The confusing signals emanating from Beijing – alternating between belligerence and friendly gestures – have made it impossible for New Delhi to chart a course of action.

It could all be a part of diplomacy as China’s secretive nature and mutual suspicion make it impossible for an enduring friendship. Right now, there seems to be the warmth of spring in the bilateral sphere, but it can nose-dive to a sub-zero temperature in no time.

How credible is Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s path of peace when he advocates that both countries should shed their mental inhibitions, manage differences and meet each other halfway to boost bilateral ties? It certainly doesn’t inspire much confidence since New Delhi knows that even after the Doklam stand-off, the Chinese Army has continued to build a military complex on the plateau.

Satellite images show that barely 10 km to the east of the Indian position in Sikkim, the PLA has been constructing buildings in an area that Bhutan claims is part of its territory.

Moreover, China’s unwarranted interference in Maldives’ internal crisis has also rattled India. China had gone so far ahead as releasing a naval combat force in the Indian Ocean. In addition to that, its increasing bonhomie with Pakistan over the Belt and Road Initiative hasn’t gone down well with India.

All these factors have made New Delhi extremely wary of Beijing’s talk of peace and cooperation. While it may appear very reassuring when Wang Yi says “if India and China are united, one plus one will become 11 instead of two”, in reality, the picture is a lot less rosy.