Said : Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the Department for International and Strategic Studies at China Institute of International Studies, a research institute run by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in an editorial titled : "India will not be a major player in America's game of 'rebalancing the Asia-Pacific' published in People's Daily, the official mouthpiece of the Communist
Party.
The editorial has underplayed the media reports saying that "India has a vital
role to play in the U.S. strategy of 'rebalancing Asia-Pacific'". It rules
out the possibility that the U.S. will rely on India to counter China, a view
expressed by Indo-US policy watchers. The editorial goes to the extent of
almost challenging the capacity of India to play such a key role in Obama's
scheme of things. It says : "In fact, no matter how close the relationship
between India and the U.S. grows, India will not be a major player on the American
team. The 'rebalancing' strategy consists of three parts - politics, economy
and security. However, Indian national power is not sufficiently strong in any
one of the three aspects."
The editorial makes note of President Barack Obama playing
host to a rare private dinner for Modi at the White House to "promote a
personal relationship with Modi" hinting it to be a reward for India for
showing enthusiasm and willingness to start a "new chapter" in a
strategic partnership with the US.
The editorial tries to convey that India does not figure in
the priority list of the U.S. bilateral relationship or for rebalancing
strategy. It says : "The key element of the U.S. rebalance strategy is The
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The U.S. is attempting to establish free trade
zones in the Asia-Pacific with the help of TPP. However, India has not been
invited to participate in the negotiation process." Another aspect
highlighted by the editorial is related with Indo-US cooperation in defense.
According to it the American interest is limited to ammunition supply and
developing the military forces.
In an attempt to remind India its commitment to Non-Aligned
Movement, the editorial says : "Fundamentally, India was one of the
countries behind the Non-Aligned Movement. Every Indian government has
emphasized that non-alignment is a basic principle of their foreign policy.
India adheres to an all-round foreign policy strategy. Not only does India give
priority to the India-U.S. relationship, it also attaches great importance to
Sino-India relationships."
The border issue with India has also found a place in the
editorial which shows that PM Modi's US visit has been able to contain the
dragon for now. "The unsolved territorial disputes will not affect the
development of Sino-India relations. China and India vowed to forge a closer
development partnership when Chinese President Xi Jinping finished his state
visit to India a week ago." Today's reports indicate that Chinese forces have withdrawn from the encroached land.
The editorial's tone becomes little softer towards the end,
when in conclusion it says : "It is unrealistic for America to rely on
India to play a leading role in its "rebalance in Asia-Pacific"
strategy. There is little prospect of India and the U.S. reaching consensus on
Chinese issues."
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| (Source : White House, Photo Galleries) |
As widely expected, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit
has generated the required heat and attention in China that is necessary for India
to be taken seriously. India is the only country that can effectively keep in
check China's growing global ambitions and illegal activities in the South
China Sea defying the vast majority of world community, of course jointly with
the US.
The US-India partnership will prove to be an unbeatable challenge for
China which it knows very well. It's a fact China can ill afford to ignore
especially when Narendra Modi is at the helm of affairs in India. China's
wealth could be a big asset and force for the Chinese but that cannot make up
for loneliness it faces on the global stage.
