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India stuck in 1962, say Chinese media
BEIJING: China’s state media said on Monday that India is stuck in shadow of the Sino-Indian war of 1962 and defaming Beijing by blaming it for not being able to
BEIJING: China’s state media said on Monday that India is stuck in shadow of the Sino-Indian war of 1962 and defaming Beijing by blaming it for not being able to enter the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
China was among the few countries that last month blocked India’s entry to the 48-member group which controls access to sensitive nuclear technology, saying New Delhi is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
China has argued it opposed India’s bid purely because of proliferation fears while the perception in India is that it did so because of Pakistan, which too had applied for NSG membership.
Monday’s editorial in state-controlled Global Times argued India mistrusts China because of defeat in the 1962 war.
“India’s precautions against China cannot be clearer. The country seems to be still stuck in the shadow of the war with China in the 1960s and many still hold on to the obsolete geopolitical view that China does not want to see India rise,” Su Tan wrote in Global Times.
Su said India actually “may have misunderstood Beijing, which can make a big difference in its strategic decisions”.
The piece added: “In fact, China no longer looks at India simply from a political perspective, but far more from an economic one.”
It added, “Many regions in China are looking for business opportunities in fast-growing India. Chinese citizens may not realise the full potential of India, but in general they are attaching far more importance to the neighbouring country than ever before.”
Quoting political scientist Zheng Yongnian, Su wrote that “China’s bilateral relationship with India is second only to the Sino-US relationship”. Su added, “Ties with China are of great significance to India as well. The best option is for China and India to work together to boost their economic and trade ties.”
Calling on India to perceive China objectively, the piece said: “Joining the NPT is a must for any country seeking NSG membership, but India is not a party to the NPT.”
