
India absent at Belt and Road Forum but its presence felt at China’s mega show
India is often depicted as an elephant in Chinese state media articles and cartoons.
On Sunday, that elephant seemed to have leapt out of the pages and entered the venue of the Belt and Road Forum (BRF), China’s grand show of economic might and growing strategic heft, and became a heavy presence that no one wanted to talk about, but everyone was aware of.
India, the fastest growing developing economy with a 300 million and growing middle class, cheap labour, proficiency in English and young population, was easily the most notable absentee at the BRF on Sunday.
Major western powers did not send heads of states either, but were represented by high-level delegations.
The US, South Korea and Japan – not known for happy ties with China – too sent delegations; even a reclusive North Korean government dispatched two representatives though they remained suitably unobtrusive on the first day of the two-day forum.
India took a decision not to deploy even its China-based diplomats for the forum because of its concerns and objections over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passing through Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
China, it was learnt, was aware that India’s concerns with CPEC had made it difficult for its top leaders to attend the forum. But Beijing had expected that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would send some level of representation to the forum.
For example, though India was invited by China to send a contingent of troops to participate at the World War II commemoration parade in September 2015 in Beijing, it declined the invitation but sent Minister of State for External affairs VK Singh to attend the military parade.
China probably expected a response on similar lines. But that didn’t happen.
A senior politician from the South Asian neighbourhood with ancient ties with India but increasingly close relations with China took two steps back and threw his hands up when asked about India’s absence.
“It’s India’s concern,” he said with an awkward smile.
Few other diplomats who didn’t wish to be named said it was India’s decision not to attend the forum and that they had no comment to offer.
There would have been few mentions of India at the academic and discussion sessions that followed the inauguration of the BRF by President Xi Jinping.
At a session on cooperation between think tanks in countries under the BRI, former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd made a rare mention of India.
He said China, India, Russia and the US should come together to develop a long-term security architecture.
The policy document on the BRI, titled “Building the Belt and Road: Concept, Practice and China’s Contribution” also had to inevitably mention India as it talked about the BCIM-EC (Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar Economic-Corridor).
Among the handful of Indians present at the forum on Sunday besides Beijing-based Indian journalists was Sudheendra Kulkarni, chairperson of the Mumbai-based Observer Research Foundation.
He criticised India’s decision not to participate at the forum.
“Whosoever has advised the PM, has given a very, very bad advice,” he said.
“India has isolated itself by not participating at any level in the BRF. India has concerns and reservations and these are legitimate ones. And it could have expressed many of the things it has put out in the official statement by coming here and making its point on the forum as some of the participants made in the morning in an oblique way of course,” he said.
“But by staying away, India has isolated itself because today at the BRF, practically the entire world is here. Including the US and Japan which have serious reservations of China,” he said.
It now remains to be seen how China, usually depicted as a giant but gentle panda in state media cartoons, reacts to India’s decision.

Andhra Asha worker dies after Covid vaccine dose, autopsy awaited

1.6 million Covid jabs given, Karnataka sees highest turnout

India, China hold another round of military talks to defuse LAC tensions
- The situation in the Ladakh sector remains tense and the ongoing military and diplomatic dialogue has not yielded results.

Covid-19 vaccination: Over 16 lakh inoculated in 9 days, Karnataka leads the way

In Tikamgarh district of MP, primary school converted into cow shelter
- A school teacher said more than 200 cows destroyed the kitchen garden and at least 100 plants of flowers, fruits and medicinal plant in the school premises.

Time capsule to be buried on Republic Day to mark 100 years of AMU

Delhi Police Commissioner issues circular for tractor rally
- The circular said that all officers and personnel as well as CAPF and any other force deployed for the Republic Day Parade security arrangements should be made aware and be prepared that they will be required for law and order arrangements immediately after the official celebration is over.

Delhi Traffic Police issues advisory for road movement ahead of Republic Day
- Delhi traffic police requested road users to accordingly plan their journies and avoid the route of parade and tableaux, from 4 am to 12:30 pm for their own convenience.

‘Thank you West Bengal’ tweets PM Modi as he shares video of his Kolkata visit

Gird Child Day: Leaders, eminent personalities laud contribution of daughters

Chhattisgarh police arrest man trying to sell tiger skin
- According to the FIR registered by the police, the estimated value of the tiger skin that was seized is ₹40 lakh in the international market.

Nitish Kumar wishes speedy recovery to Lalu, but won't call. Here's why

Eight CAs among 258 arrested since mid-November in GST fraud
- One CA was arrested on Saturday along with four businessmen in Jaipur for operating 25 fake firms to fraudulently avail and pass on input tax credit.

Congress slams Center over petrol, diesel price hike
- While addressing a press conference, Congress General Secretary Ajay Maken demanded an explanation of how exactly has the government spent ₹20 lakh crore that it "collected by multiple hikes in excise duty on both petrol and diesel" in last six years.
