A friend for the future

The differing approaches of the Communists in India and China underline more matters than just economics and nukes. While CPIM members visiting China don8217;t even care to touch base with the Indian Embassy there, the Chinese try to be more even-handed. Sonia Gandhi is visiting China this week and that country is rolling out the red carpet8212;despite knowing that Sonia does not hold any government office. So while the Left may have pushed Sonia8217;s Congress into a corner here, China is playing for the future. The CPC wants to institutionalise party-to-party contacts and views Sonia8217;s visit as an opportunity in this regard. President Hu Jintao himself is all prepared to meet her as Beijing looks to broadbase its engagement with India.