Like his predecessors, Modi has the same old three choices before him

Modi, like his predecessors, tried to break out of India-Pak-China triangulation and failed. Whatever he decides to do next will mean new compromises

As Mao did to Jawaharlal Nehru in 1959-62, Xi Jinping has thrown at Prime Minister Narendra Modi the biggest challenge in his pu­­­blic life. Over the next few days, weeks, months, and years, he will take decisions that determine the st­­r­ategic fate of his nation. And his own political legacy.

Reading his mind is an act of daring. Over these six years he has built a formidable reputation of delivering the most stunning surprises, without anybody having an inkling. Even on the crucial strategic and foreign policy issues. Remember his sudden stopover in Pakistan on his way back from Kabul.