India needs to note with great alacrity and caution, all questions of subtle references to non-demarcation of borders, disputes and accidental transgressions raised and caused by China

We Indians are supposedly a cricket-crazy nation. So, we have been watching two beautiful googlies being served, and we have lost our wicket! Looks like this is what happened during the much-hyped visit of President Xi Jinping to India, about 10 days ago.

During his address at the Indian Council of World Affairs, President Xi Jinping is reported to have said: "Neighbours may encounter problems. What is important is to tackle the boundary question and seek a fair, reasonable solution at an early date. And in the meantime, India and China should not allow the boundary problem to affect bilateral economic relations".

Referring to the latest incursions by hundreds of Chinese troops in Chumar, Xi Jinping said: "Since the boundary is yet to be demarcated, there could be instances of transgressions and both sides are fully capable of resolving the issues, through border-related mechanisms, so that such incidents have little impact on ties."

Following this, on Monday, Xi Jinping asked the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to be combat-ready to win a "regional war” and make sure that all decisions from the central leadership are strictly followed. He shuffled the military postings of generals loyal to him. He removed and prosecuted some top PLA generals for corruption.

Finally, touching on strategic ties, Xi Jinping said: "India's aspirations for a bigger role in the UN Security Council...China is willing to support ....” It is reported that a thunderous applause from the Indian audience drowned the balance of his statement, in which he said to have stated: “when India settles the border dispute with China." And he apparently, continued..."China is willing to support India's full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and in return, (China) expects India to help in building relations in SAARC."

We need China's friendship and support. But we need to deal with the Chinese even more cautiously than before. For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this is the first time that he has had extended talks with President Xi Jinping. A return visit by him to China is bound to follow in the next few months. This is when he should get the border issues settled. Questions of subtle references to non-demarcation of borders, disputes and accidental transgressions are to be noted with great alacrity and caution. At the moment, the northern borders with China are covered by the Indo-Tibetan Force. They need to be supported by combat-ready regular army.

(AK Ramdas has worked with the Engineering Export Promotion Council of the ministry of commerce. He was also associated with various committees of the Council. His international career took him to places like Beirut, Kuwait and Dubai at a time when these were small trading outposts; and later to the US.)