Just when I thought I'd figured out our foreign policy—a headline in today's paper left me scratching what's left of my head: Defence Minister Set to Visit China to Rebuild Ties.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for building bridges. But building one back to China, right after they handed over nuts, bolts, missiles, and maybe even launch codes to Pakistan in the war just concluded, seems more like building a bridge with landmines underneath. And yet, here we are, suitcases packed, delegation briefed, smiles rehearsed for a country that was practically fueling our enemy's fire.

Compare this with how we treated Türkiye. The moment news broke that they sent arms to Pakistan, we raised the diplomatic danda. Sanctions, condemnations, and cold shoulders followed. And the poor Maldives? That tiny island nation so small that if you sneeze from Delhi, they catch a cold in Malé. The moment they so much as questioned our policies, we retaliated like a spurned Bollywood lover:

Slam, shut, boycott!

But China? No problem. Come on in. Let's have some green tea and talk about "rebuilding trust."

Now, I'm no defence expert, but even I know what this looks like. It's the classic schoolyard act of a bully—pick on the small fries, but when the big guy who actually punched you in the face shows up, you offer him a samosa and say, "Bhai, galti ho gayi, chalo dosti karte hain!"

What message are we sending the world? That we believe in power more than principles?

That we'll roar like a lion when facing a mouse but meow politely at the tiger who just swatted us?

And more worryingly, what message are we sending our own people? Especially the minorities. Because the world's watching, and they're drawing comparisons. "Ah," they say, "this is the same country that flattens smaller nations when offended, but bends over backward for bigger bullies. Is that what happens within its borders too?" They start connecting dots: mob lynchings, church attacks, locked-up journalists, and the quiet burial of minority rights under the rubble of majoritarian politics.

You see, how we treat others—big or small—reveals the character of a nation. And right now, our character's looking suspiciously like a coward in camouflage.

Contrast this with Israel—a tiny nation, constantly under threat, yet never afraid to take on giants. You attack them, they respond. You threaten, they prepare. You mess with their people; they don't send a delegation. They send a message. Loud and clear.

Maybe it's time we learned something from them. Not arrogance, not aggression—but dignity. The quiet strength to stand up for what's right, even if the bully wears a dragon's face and sits on a billion-dollar throne.

If you have to go to China, go, but use the same yardstick. Stop being bullies to minorities and smaller countries.

Because the world is watching. And so are we…!