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Meeting Deng Xiaoping on Rajiv Gandhi’s history-making visit to China

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9 years ago

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L-R: Deng-xiaoping, Mao, Xi

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Mao, Deng and now Xi Jinping. Three of the most powerful leaders in Chinese history. It was Deng Xiaoping who paved the way for Xi to become as dominant a force as he himself was. Dilip Bobb recounts a memorable meeting with Deng in Beijing.

The just-concluded Congress of the Communist Party of China has cemented President Xi Jinping’s place in history as the most powerful leader of the country since Deng Xiaoping.  It signposts the end of the Deng Xiaoping era and the beginning of the New Era led by Xi. For veterans like me who were privileged to have an audience with Deng, it brings back memories of the iconic status he enjoyed and the roadmap he laid out which has led to China – and Xi – being where they are at this inflection point in history.

I met the legendary revolutionary on a freezing January morning in 1989 as part of the media delegation accompanying then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his history-making visit to China. Being bundled up in layers of wool and thermal, heavy boots and woolen caps covering most of the face, left very little scope for individuality. Luckily, the meeting between Deng and Rajiv followed by a brief reception-line encounter with us lowly scribes was held in the Great Hall of the People, the massive building at one end of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, which had central heating. Chinese officials had briefed us on protocol, distance to be maintained (no handshakes, just a bow or a namaste) and other restrictions to do with his advanced age –he was 84. The briefing and the reverence in their voices when mentioning the ‘Paramount Leader’ made it seem like we were being given an audience with God. In communist, hence atheist, China, Deng was as close to God as anyone could get. His advanced age meant he still had the authority but had become more of a father figure with little official responsibility in the day-to-day affairs of the country.

Still, the veneration and respect with which he was regarded in China had added considerable hype and expectation to the first handshake between an Indian prime minister and the unquestioned leader of China on a bilateral visit. Nehru and Mao had a finger-wagging meeting, but at the Bandung conference in 1954. Since 1961, relations between India and China had been even more frigid than that January morning in Beijing. The Rajiv-Deng meeting represented the potential for a historic breakthrough, or, at the very least, a breach in the Great Wall. There was a discernible sense of history in the making when the two delegations gathered at opposite ends of the ornate and cavernous Great Hall. Rajiv and his official delegation had entered and waited for the Paramount Leader. We, the media clutch, were herded into a corner but with a clear view of the proceedings. Then Deng emerged, disappointingly frail and wizened, but the air of authority around him was unmistakable. The two leaders walked slowly towards each other, Rajiv on his own, while Deng had two aides on either side.    

If Rajiv deserves credit for taking the gamble of flying blind to Beijing, it was the all-powerful Deng who orchestrated the turning point during his emotion-charged meeting with Rajiv, a man half his age. The tension in the air was almost touchable as the two leaders converged. Deng, the famous pudding face animated by a twinkle in the eyes, shuffled forward, then stopped, realising Rajiv was still some distance away. The make-or-break enormity of the occasion was reflected in Rajiv’s body language as he moved hesitantly forward, exuding a certain nervousness. Throughout the three-minute-long handshake, he remained unsure and overawed, answering in monosyllables as Deng rambled into reminiscence. In China, however, symbols and semantics are infinitely more important than official declarations. Deng’s opening remarks welcoming his “young friend” and suggesting they “forget the past” was an overt indication that he was literally holding out a hand of friendship. And the next few minutes of their meeting was broadcast through loudspeakers, not so much for the benefit of the world media as for China’s one billion people.

The fact that he spent 90 minutes with Rajiv discussing the changing international scenario and his vision of the balance of power was another signal. A semi-recluse, Deng rarely spends over 30 minutes with visiting leaders. Thus, without actually saying so, Deng was giving his blessings to a burial of the past and the start of another Long March towards normalisation of Sino-Indian relations. After that meet, my brief encounter with Deng was an anti-climax. We shuffled forward in a line, each person pausing for a few seconds to greet the man we had only read about in history books. He would look you in the eye, nod slightly as you were introduced, and then you made way for the next in line. His hands were frail and trembled slightly so the no-handshake rule was logical. Yet, walking away, one could not shrug off the feeling of having just been part of history, even if it was a bit part. Looking back, it is clearer to see the roadmap that Deng left for his successor (Xi was then a regional party chief in Fujian). Deng would die in 1997 but by the time we met him, he had already laid out the essential action plan for China which had just come through the disastrous Cultural Revolution. Called the 24 character strategy, the plan enjoined the Chinese to “observe calmly, secure our position, cope with affairs calmly, hide our capacities, bide our time, be good at maintaining a low profile, never claim leadership.” In other words, China should focus on transforming its economy and keep a low profile in international politics. Towards this end, he advocated the Four Modernisations – of agriculture, industry, science and technology and defence. China adhered to these guidelines with spectacular results and catapulted the opportunistic Xi Jinping to a position where he is now part of the Great Triumvirate of China. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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US-Iran talks move closer as $300 billion investment proposal emerges

The United States and Iran are said to be nearing a preliminary agreement that could include sanctions relief, access to frozen Iranian assets, a Lebanon ceasefire framework and a proposed $300 billion reconstruction-linked investment plan.

Published

16 hours ago

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May 29, 2026

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The United States and Iran are reportedly edging closer to a preliminary agreement that could temporarily ease tensions in the Middle East while opening the door for wider negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and regional security.

According to reports, the evolving framework may include discussions around a proposed $300 billion reconstruction and investment mechanism for Iran if a final agreement is eventually reached. The proposal is said to involve international investment support facilitated with US backing.

Lebanon and Strait of Hormuz among major discussion points

One of the key elements under discussion reportedly concerns reducing hostilities involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The issue has emerged as a sensitive component of the broader negotiations, especially amid continued military activity in the region.

The talks are also focused on restoring commercial shipping movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a globally significant energy corridor disrupted during the ongoing conflict. Reports suggest Iran may be expected to help restore safe maritime navigation, while the United States could gradually ease aspects of its blockade depending on progress during negotiations.

Sanctions relief and frozen assets under consideration

Negotiators are also reportedly discussing phased sanctions relief and potential access to billions of dollars in Iranian funds frozen abroad. Iran has long demanded the release of such assets as part of any broader understanding with Washington.

The draft understanding is also expected to include commitments related to Iran’s nuclear activities, including further negotiations on enriched uranium stockpiles and assurances linked to nuclear weapons development.

Key differences still remain unresolved

Despite signs of progress, several differences reportedly remain unresolved between the two sides. Questions continue over the exact wording of the proposed framework, the duration of any ceasefire arrangement and the timeline for easing restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Reports also indicate that mediation efforts involving regional actors, including Pakistan and Qatar, have played a major role in facilitating indirect talks between Washington and Tehran.

While officials from both sides have signalled progress, no final agreement has yet been formally announced.

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US carries out fresh strikes in Iran, downing drones near strategic Strait of Hormuz

The US military launched overnight defensive strikes targeting an Iranian military facility and shot down four attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the vulnerability of ongoing peace negotiations.

Published

2 days ago

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May 28, 2026

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Donald Trump statement

The US military launched overnight strikes inside Iran, targeting a military installation and intercepting multiple attack drones near the critical Strait of Hormuz. The operation comes amid intense diplomatic efforts to end a three-month-old war that has severely impacted global energy markets.

According to media reports citing US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, American forces shot down four one-way attack drones. Additionally, a ground control facility located in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas—which was reportedly preparing to launch a fifth drone—was struck. Local residents in Iran reported hearing three distinct explosions east of Bandar Abbas around 1:30 AM local time, prompting the temporary activation of local air defense systems.

Focus on maintaining the ceasefire

US Central Command later confirmed the targeted actions, stating that the intercepted drones posed an immediate threat to American personnel and commercial shipping vessels operating near the strategic waterway. Officials described the intervention as a measured, defensive response aimed strictly at safeguarding international transit routes and preserving the active, yet fragile, ceasefire arrangement.

The Strait of Hormuz serves as a vital artery for global commerce, accounting for nearly one-fifth of global oil shipments before hostitilies erupted on February 28.

Strains on ongoing diplomatic talks

These recent military developments occurred against the backdrop of sensitive negotiations aimed at formalizing a permanent peace agreement. Earlier this week, the US conducted similar self-defense strikes against vessels allegedly deployed to lay naval mines, drawing sharp condemnation from Tehran, which labelled those actions a breach of the ceasefire.

Diplomatic tensions were further compounded on Wednesday when US President Donald Trump publicly dismissed reports claiming that Iran and Oman would jointly manage shipping operations through the Strait of Hormuz under a proposed peace deal, asserting instead that the international waterway must remain entirely open.

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Byju’s founder Byju Raveendran sentenced to six months in jail by Singapore court over asset orders

In a major setback, a Singapore court has sentenced Byju’s founder Byju Raveendran to six months in prison for contempt after he failed to comply with multiple court orders regarding his assets.

Published

3 days ago

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May 27, 2026

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In a massive legal blow to the founder of the failed Indian educational technology firm Think & Learn Pvt (better known as Byju’s), a Singapore court has sentenced Byju Raveendran to six months in jail for contempt of court.

The court ordered the jail term after concluding that Raveendran had deliberately disobeyed multiple judicial directives regarding his personal assets, dating as far back as April 2024.

Disobedience of asset orders leads to prison sentence

According to people familiar with the matter, the Singapore court has instructed Raveendran to immediately surrender himself to the officials. Alongside the six-month prison sentence, the Byju’s founder has been ordered to pay legal costs amounting to S$90,000 (approximately $70,500). Furthermore, he has been mandated to provide documents verifying his official legal ownership of Beeaar Investco Pte, a corporate entity that holds equity shares in a related firm.

At the time of reporting, it remains unclear whether Raveendran is currently residing in Singapore or located elsewhere, and he did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Escalating global legal battles

This sentencing marks the latest and perhaps most severe setback for the entrepreneur, who once achieved billionaire status amid a massive wave of global capital flowing into Indian start-ups. Today, Raveendran is being rigorously pursued by foreign investors across international jurisdictions. This includes intensifying legal battles in the United States, where global lenders are actively trying to recover heavy financial losses stemming from a defaulted $1.2 billion loan.

Media reports indicate that the ongoing Singapore court proceedings represent a broadening web of legal and financial crises following the operational collapse of the once-celebrated edtech giant.

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