Sir — This refers to the news report, “Homilies repeated, nothing special in li-Singh talks” (May 21). True, there is nothing special for India, but it is not so for China. The media reported ad nauseum about visiting Chinese Premier li Keqiang’s body language, personal chemistry with his Indian counterpart, his numerous statements etc, but the bare fact is that on the diplomatic front, India, as usual, failed to make any headway.
Despite news reports claiming that Mr Manmohan Singh talked tough to the Chinese Premier, in diplomacy what is of import is what is stated in the joint Press meet and communiqué.
It is inexplicable why we continue to be obsessed with diplomatic niceties that began during the Nehru era and which have not been modified in keeping with the times and ground realities. Indeed, the ruling Congress-led UPA Government and the entire state machinery need a crash course in Kautilya’s Arthashashtra to glean crucial insight on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy.