मद्यमश्चेद्विजिगीषोर्मित्रं मित्रभावि लिप्सेत मित्रस्यात्मनश्च मित्राण्युत्थाप्य मध्यमाच्च मित्राणि भेदयित्वा मित्रं त्रायेत ॥ कZ_०७.१८.०५ ॥
madyamaś ced vijigīṣor mitraṃ mitrabhāvi lipseta mitrasya ātmanas ca mitrāṇy utthāpya madhyamāc ca mitrāṇi bhedayitvā mitraṃ trāyeta
If the Madhyama seeks to win over the would-be ally of the conqueror (vijigīṣu), he should first rally the allies of that friend and of himself, then split the allies of the Madhyama, and thereby protect (secure) that friend.
Acquire a target ally by mobilizing one’s network, then fragmenting the opponent’s alliance structure, and finally presenting oneself as the protector of the target.