ISAS Insights

From China’s point of view the visit was aimed at ‘promoting trust and widening cooperation’ between the two countries. The swing through the region was also aimed to establish the fact that South Asia falls within the ambit of China’s interests and influence despite India’s dominant position in the region. It was also meant to emphasise to India that bilateral ties with the regional states will continue to be important for Beijing even while it was expanding its ties with India.