By inspiring anti-India writings in the ultra-populist Communist Party-controlled Global Times, the Chinese authorities have shown themselves to be churlish. After campaigning against India and blocking its entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group last week, Beijing could have quietly exulted in partnership with its ally Pakistan.
A common diplomatic objective had been met. Instead, the party paper was made to lash out at India for suggesting a prominent Chinese role in India’s diplomatic setback. This is the sign of an under-confident major player. What a pity, given the impressive size of the Chinese economy and its military. Or perhaps China just feels frustrated that while India has been kept out of the NSG for now, it has managed to gain entry to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), from which the Chinese application for admission has been rejected.
Along with the NSG, the MTCR is one of the four international cartels that makes rules for international commerce in materials relating to weapons of mass destruction. China has called India the “West’s spoilt boy” and other names. It forgets it once played the role of an Eastern Nato against the former Soviet Union.
The Global Times diatribe is contrary to China’s stated position which holds that India values its strategic autonomy. Beijing and New Delhi should endeavour to see that their bilateral ties, especially economic ones, are buffered from storms in the international arena. Important powers must show maturity.
