NEW DELHI - India has always been cautious and taken steps to keep ties stable with China but a recent border clash, the worst between the two Asian giants in more than 40 years, has led to what one analyst here described as a "major inflection point" for New Delhi.

"India will increasingly take more positions which will have clearer anti-China orientation. Of course, it was happening before but will now accelerate whether on global platforms or making a case on global issues," said Professor Harsh Pant from the Observer Research Foundation think-tank in the Indian capital.