From the International Herald Tribune, via A Glimpse of the World:
During his visit last week, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao dazzled Indians with the oblique diplomacy at which the Chinese excel. Resisting pressure to proclaim China’s recognition of India’s 1975 annexation of the Himalayan kingdom of Sikkim, he nevertheless delighted his hosts by quietly handing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a map that showed Sikkim as just another Indian state.
Indians are hoping that similar sophistication also explains Wen’s refusal to commit himself to India’s claim to a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. All he would say in this context was that “China understands and supports India’s aspirations to play an active role in the UN and international affairs.” Jubilant listeners interpreted this as effective support, arguing that only Japan’s embarrassing candidature prevented an explicit endorsement.
