After a prolonged phase of playing cat and mouse, India and China last Friday declared a truce and the promise to end the brinkmanship. To be sure both sides have checked all the key boxes guaranteeing truce. However, the Chinese history of perfidy, double-speak and relentless pursuit of Middle Kingdom status (or the centre of civilization) suggest otherwise. Making matters worse, China is gradually losing the perception battle. It is not that these countries are underwriting any future conflict, but the fact that they are in India’s corner must be worrying to China.

Source: Mint September 14, 2020 02:13 UTC