China calling

India should view Beijing's latest overtures with caution

Beijing’s overtures to India to revive bilateral dialogue ahead of the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) summit in China later this year should be welcomed after two years of military confrontation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The proposals include reciprocal visits by Chinese and Indian foreign ministers to each other’s countries, India-China Civilization Dialogues in both countries, a trade and investment forum, and even a film forum. Taken together with a reported improvement in the atmospherics at the commanders’ meeting on the LAC (though little actual progress), this outreach indicates a significant shift in China’s position vis-à-vis India. The immediate