On the day Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Gujarat on September 17, the Hindu newspaper published an op-ed called ‘Towards an Asian century of prosperity’ in which President Xi spoke of his country as the factory and India as the world’s back office, he referred to the new government in power bringing in new reforms. He spoke of deepened mutual trust by “strengthening strategic dialogue and enhancing political confidence.” The article was expectedly replete with bonhomie and optimism although India was not too happy being relegated to the back office. Nevertheless, Xi concluded by saying that he was “confident that as long as China and India work together, the Asian century of prosperity and renewal will surely arrive at an early date.” All this sounded wonderful.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the signing of agreements in New Delhi on September 18. Modi expressed concern to China’s visiting President Xi Jinping about “incidents” on the two countries’ disputed border, as a stand-off between troops at the frontier overshadowed key talks. Pic/AFP