The article explores the political symbolism behind China's portrayal of India as an elephant in diplomatic discourse. This analogy, where China is the dragon and India the elephant, originated in Western academic circles and was formally adopted into China's diplomatic lexicon by former Premier Wen Jiabao. It continues to frame discussions on the complex bilateral ties between the two nations.

In December 2010, on the final day of his three-day India visit, Chinese premier Wen Jiabao offered a metaphorical vision for bilateral ties, suggesting that “the dragon and the elephant should tango”. The analogy – dragon for China, elephant for India – had already circulated in Western academic and media circles as a comparative frame. With Wen’s remark, it formally entered China’s diplomatic lexicon. Over the past 15 years, through cycles of border tensions and uneasy resets, China’s...