China's warning to the US and Canada for holding joint navy exercises in the Taiwan Strait should be taken seriously. The objection came from Beijing's defence minister, and correlated with their objection to "non-Chinese" engagements in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, as it increases security risks. India should take this as a signal to continue to engage with countries in the region for ensuring that the Indo-Pacific remains free, open and rules-based. China's approach to a 'Cold War mentality' with non-polar countries is a concern for India, due to its acts of aggression along with the region, and the idea of a multipolar world order.