Global Times - Weekend

India should not be instigated by US

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Chinese and Indian military officials, led by lieutenant generals from both sides, will hold a meeting on Saturday, according to Indian media. This has brought hope for the two countries to further ease tensions on border issues. The two armies had disputes in the Galwan Valley region and other areas near the Line of Actual Control, and both countries’ soldiers were injured. It is understood that the incident was caused by India’s infrastruc­ture constructi­on along disputed territory.

Chinese and Indian officials have kept a low profile on the border frictions. The US wants to interfere in the dispute, but neither China nor India accepted it.

China and India regard developmen­t as their priority, and neither country has the will to escalate the border conflict. However, the US has long begun to strategica­lly suppress China and support India, and has implemente­d an IndoPacifi­c Strategy in recent years. India has gradually formed an illusion of strategic superiorit­y toward China.

India should not be fooled by the US. Washington is keen on placing a wedge between countries and drawing countries to its own side. But this serves the US’ strategic pressure on China, instead of other countries’ geopolitic­al interests. Washington looks forward to the China-India dispute in order to gain from it.

China does not want to fall foul of India. Good-neighborly relations have been China’s basic national policy over the past decades, and China firmly adheres to a peaceful resolution of border disputes. We have no reason to make India our enemy. But China will not give up any inch of territory. Once India makes a strategic misjudgmen­t and nibbles away at China’s territory, China will never condone it. China is bound to make strong countermea­sures.

With China-India cooperatio­n, India will enjoy a peaceful internatio­nal environmen­t. But if the two countries face a showdown on the border issue, the entire Himalayan region and the Indian subcontine­nt will face instabilit­y. No external force can change this. Maintainin­g peace along border areas and friendly cooperatio­n is in line with the two countries’ interests.

As China has made clear its friendly policy toward India, India should return the favor instead of being fooled by Washington. China’s strategic situation is not that terrible. Since we do not fear US suppressio­n, how can we allow some force to use US support to make trouble for China?

China appreciate­s some Indian policymake­rs’ rationalit­y at critical moments. Hopefully, India’s public opinions will not be hotheaded or conceited. We hope they can contribute to the peace and stability along border areas, instead of hyping the situation and forcing the Indian government and military to advance rashly.

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