China’s President Xi Jinping calling India a “friend and partner” on India’s 77th Republic Day has quickly caught attention across diplomatic and policy circles. The message, released officially by Beijing, comes after years of visibly strained ties following border tensions, military stand-offs, and sharp rhetoric on both sides. That’s why the wording matters. It signals a softer tone — at least on paper — at a time when global power equations are shifting fast. What’s notab