Yet, for the all the talk of “looking east” and “acting east”, Delhi is easily distracted by the endless provocations on its west. Beijing figures prominently in the great game to the east; China has exercised influence there for long. Barely a day after her return from her five-day visit to Beijing, Suu Kyi was receiving India’s External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj. China has to work hard in Burma to retain its influence as Suu Kyi seeks a balanced relationship with all major powers. Although geography gives India many advantages in both Nepal and Burma, Delhi has been unable to reinforce it with other instruments such as economic diplomacy.

Source: Indian Express August 22, 2016 18:22 UTC