The UPA Government is doing all it can to avoid annoying China, but what it is getting is a damp-squib response. Having chosen to keep the neighbour pacified in the wake of all the ups and downs in bilateral ties this year, the Centre was hopeful of China increasing the number of batches for the Kailash Mansarovar yatra from 12 to 16 as promised. But it is quite possible that only eight will be allowed. The Chinese cancelled the first two batches on the ground that the Olympic torch would be in Tibet during the period. But China has given no reason after that for not clearing any other batch. The matter is high on External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s agenda as he heads for Beijing this week. As for the opposite party’s agenda at the talks, on top is the negative media reports in India about China.