India, April 22 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's oft-quoted remark-when the dragon and the elephant tango, it benefits not only the two countries but also the world-makes for elegant diplomacy. It's the kind of phrase designed to attract headlines, suggest harmony, and project a sense of visionary leadership. But for those who have followed the turbulent arc of China-India relations, the statement feels more poetic than practical, more symbolic than sincere.

The dragon and the elephant, of course, are long-standing metaphors for China and India, respectively. Each embodies distinct civilisational strengths: one swift and assertive, the other steady and wise. In theory, a coordinated partnership between these two Asian giants could indee...