The Indian government effectively offered to engage with China over the Doklam plateau dispute through its foreign secretary’s speech in Singapore. Things may yet change, but there are increasing signs that New Delhi and Beijing are hunkering down for a long and protracted standoff. Such a contest of patience is not unheard of between India and China. The present Doklam standoff is about New Delhi, belatedly, deciding it must put an end to a long-standing Chinese practice of nibbling away at Bhutan’s border. The Narendra Modi government must recognise that its best weapon is patience and steadfastness that is not governed by media concerns or even the election cycle.

Source: Hindustan Times July 13, 2017 13:07 UTC