When the dragon and the elephant try to dance

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s oft-quoted remark—when the dragon and the elephant tango, it benefits not only the two countries but also the world—makes for elegant diplomacy. It’s the kind of phrase designed to attract headlines, suggest harmony, and project a sense of visionary leadership. But for those who have followed the turbulent arc of China–India relations, the statement feels more poetic than practical, more symbolic than sincere. Chinese President Xi Jinp