New Delhi, Aug. 25 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's recent visit to India highlighted gradual, yet cautious progress towards normalisation in some aspects of bilateral ties since the 2020 Galwan clashes. However, his subsequent engagements in Pakistan and Afghanistan in the same trip have again highlighted the broader complexity of the 'China challenge' for India. The three-nation tour illustrated Beijing's calibrated South Asia strategy-seeking to maintain manageable ties with New Delhi, while simultaneously consolidating influence in neighbouring countries to reshape regional dynamics, often at the expense of Indian interests.

The focus of his India visit was on creating a conducive environment for finding some mechanism to manage...