The statements made by top ministers and officials of the Narendra Modi government over the past few days are a clear indicator of the fact that India is going to harden its position on Pakistan and China. There are ample indications that India is ready to give further fillip to the diplomatic offensive against Pakistan and China. The developments do suggest that New Delhi will be mounting a more aggressive diplomatic campaign to corner Beijing and Islamabad over various issues of bilateral concerns. Recently, National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval delivered a strong message to Beijing over its aggressive behaviour along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He talked tough on the border row with China in a meeting with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs’ Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa only two days ago. Again, NSA Ajit Doval decried double standards on terrorism at the BRICS meet, with China at the table. In a veiled attack on China, Doval said BRICS could work together on listing terrorists and their proxies under the UN Counter-Terrorism sanctions regime but emphasised that the process should be free from “politics and double standards”. It is clear that NSA Doval tried to corner China on both the issue of terrorism and the LAC stand-off. NSA Doval in a way also succeeded in highlighting China’s connivance with Pakistan in shielding terrorists at the UN, which is what exposes Beijing’s double standard on terrorism. Doval’s straightforward remarks were seen as a direct attack on China, which has been consistently vetoing proposals at the United Nations Security Council against designated terrorists in Pakistan. Similarly, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also delivered a strong message to Pakistan, as he said that India is ready to cross the Line of Control (LOC) to maintain its honour and dignity. Speaking at the Kargil War Memorial in Ladakh’s Drass town on the occasion of 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas, Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said no compromise would be made in protecting the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country. Pakistan came out with an angry reaction a day after Rajnath’s statement. Pakistan on Thursday said that the “belligerent rhetoric” is a threat to regional peace and stability. The Foreign Office in Islamabad said Pakistan is fully capable of defending itself against any aggression. This is not the first time that the Defence Minister has spoken tough against Pakistan in this manner. He has made several such observations causing unease in the Pakistan government. Only a month ago, Rajnath asked Pakistan to focus on problems back home, saying that India does not need to work much to take back Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK). Such voices on reclaiming the POK also came from some Indian military leaders as well. Rajnath said so while referring to Pakistan’s reaction to the joint US-India statement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has also been slamming both Pakistan and China over the issues ranging from terrorism to border aggressions by PLA. Only a few weeks ago at a function in Kolkata, Jaishankar had blamed China for the current deadlock on the LAC, saying that the present downturn in bilateral relations was created by China and not by India. He had said that it takes two hands to clap for a relationship to work. He had signalled that there cannot be a normal bilateral relationship between India and China if the LAC problems were not properly addressed by Beijing. These statements assume significance ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the upcoming BRICS summit in South Africa’s Johannesburg where he will be with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the same room. It is certain that the PM will not miss any chance to convey a strong message to the Chinese leader on the LAC and terrorism. Doval and Rajnath Singh have already set the stage for India to continue to launch scathing attacks against China and Pakistan whenever any opportunity comes up. There is a clear signal that upcoming international meetings, events and conclaves will see India hardening its position on China and Pakistan.