Mukesh Sharma, described as an editor with the People's Daily-owned Global Times on January 16, published an article recommending close India-China ties at a time when Sino-US ties are strained and "The US has almost declared China an enemy in its national defense strategy by calling it a strategic competitor."  He claimed the two would reap "unprecedented synergies benefiting relations" and that "The keenness to come closer hasn't been hurt by the not-so-old bitterness over Doklam  — the border standoff in 2017 — that created significant bilateral strains."  Acknowledging that "New Delhi will have to tread softly as it can't afford to displease the US at a sensitive moment when Sino-US ties have cratered and a mercurial president in the White House is prone to gaffes, off the cuff remarks and even reckless actions" and that Pakistan will be a factor, the author said "New Delhi will have to tread softly as it can't afford to displease the US at a sensitive moment "  but that "India's warming ties with China will not only be a test of the neighbors to overlook differences and forge ahead, it will also judge the mettle of the two major powers to navigate the cross currents that are likely to come their way. "