The supreme art of war writes Sun Tzu, is to subdue the enemy without fighting. In less than a week's time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting 1-on-1 with Chinese President Xi Jinping. A man who's tightened his grip on China to a level not seen Deng Xiaoping. Some say Xi thought has been put on the same pedestal as Mao thought, a clear message on the where the man behind the guiding philosophy sees himself. Most military analysts would tell you that China is the real enemy to prepare for, not Pakistan. But Pakistan and China's all-weather friendship of the terrorist state has been the single most virulent division point. Most in the know would agree that the border dispute is no longer a prime concern, only raised up as a proxy or a fient when other malignant weather is blowing through the relationship. While we cannot be caught of guard as we were in 1962, Doklam isn't going to make or break what happens next. Our sister publication the Sunday Guardian has managed to get a deep insight into what both India and China are expecting from this meeting. It's supposed to take the long view, from the top of the mountain the Chinese in the know are describing it, so that the ripple of the tone and tenor set can radiate into all levels of the relationship. PM Modi is enjoying prestige and respect in China for taking bold decisions and India's strong growth, which is now faster than China's, despite the domestic criticisim of Demonetisation and GST Implementation. In many ways, this is the most anticipated meeting of all. What should we hope for, what should we guard against.
