New Delhi's importance

A few months ago, China’s ambassador to India, Zhang Yan, was elevated to the rank of vice-minister. Zhang’s elevation accords him – and the embassy in India – the seniority reserved by China for its missions in the P5 countries, including the US. Zhang is now expected to keep track of developments not just in India but also in the world, and forward to his government the perception of these events in New Delhi, including issues like the currency devaluation war between China and the US. This indicates the new importance accorded by Beijing to New Delhi, despite a recent exchange of words. Of course, the ambassador’s staff in the Chinese Embassy is grumbling — his elevation means more work for them!