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China-Japan-Koreas
India's unwise military moves
2009-06-12
Editorial in China's Global Times
In the last few days, India has dispatched roughly 60,000 troops to its border with China, the scene of enduring territorial disputes between the two countries.
Let me guess: the Chinese think that is 'unwise' ...
J.J. Singh, the Indian governor of the controversial area, said the move was intended to "meet future security challenges" from China. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh claimed, despite cooperative India-China relations, his government would make no concessions to China on territorial disputes.

The tough posture Singh's new government has taken may win some applause among India's domestic nationalists. But it is dangerous if it is based on a false anticipation that China will cave in.

India has long held contradictory views on China. Another big Asian country, India is frustrated that China's rise has captured much of the world's attention. Proud of its "advanced political system," India feels superior to China. However, it faces a disappointing domestic situation which is unstable compared with China's.

India likes to brag about its sustainable development, but worries that it is being left behind by China. China is seen in India as both a potential threat and a competitor to surpass.

But India can't actually compete with China in a number of areas, like international influence, overall national power and economic scale. India apparently has not yet realized this. Indian politicians these days seem to think their country would be doing China a huge favor simply by not joining the "ring around China" established by the US and Japan.

India's growing power would have a significant impact on the balance of this equation, which has led India to think that fear and gratitude for its restraint will cause China to defer to it on territorial disputes.

But this is wishful thinking, as China won't make any compromises in its border disputes with India. And while China wishes to coexist peacefully with India, this desire isn't born out of fear.

India's current course can only lead to a rivalry between the two countries. India needs to consider whether or not it can afford the consequences of a potential confrontation with China. It should also be asking itself why it hasn't forged the stable and friendly relationship with China that China enjoys with many of India's neighbors, like Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
And Tibet, don't forget the friendly relations you have with Tibet ...
Any aggressive moves will certainly not aid the development of good relations with China. India should examine its attitude and preconceptions; it will need to adjust if it hopes to cooperate with China and achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.
Posted by:john frum

#8  Proud of its "advanced political system," India feels superior to China.

I'm not sure that that's actually the case, but it sure shows you how the Chinese think. Implicit in this is "but we Chinese are actually superior to you!" Get used to a lot of this superior/respect us/uncivilized crap for the next 30-40 years.
Posted by: gromky   2009-06-12 16:09  

#7  I thought Tibet was a permanent and inalienable part of China.

The Tibetans beg to differ (there is quite a large colony of Tibetans in the Twin Cities).

Tibet was separate, but allied with China until the Communists invaded in the 1950's. It only became inalienable when the Chinese decided they needed a port in the Indian Ocean.

That's why the Maoist guerrillas get so much support in the east coast of India.
Posted by: Frozen Al   2009-06-12 15:47  

#6  I also notice that the article fails to mention previous Chinese invasions of India.

My big suspicion is that this is all misdirection, as is all the stuff about Taiwan. They're not going to have an easy time buying weapons from Russia if they mainly talk about getting back all those parts of China that Russia currently occupies.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2009-06-12 10:08  

#5  The Chinese have taken to calling Arunachal Pradesh as "Lower Tibet"
Posted by: john frum   2009-06-12 09:54  

#4  And no, I don't think either Pradeshes are really Chinese. But the Chinese think so for one of them, and, as the old saying goes "What's mine is mine, and what's yours is subject to negotiation." Or warfare.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2009-06-12 09:52  

#3  I thought Tibet was a permanent and inalienable part of China.

And besides, it's not like Tibet's even at the outside border of China, that's Nepal and Arunachal Pradesh, currently occupied by foreign troops _from_ India. (suprise!).

If I remember my Pradeshes correctly. I don't know if they consider Andhra Pradesh a permanent and inalienable part of historic China, for instance.

YET.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2009-06-12 09:50  

#2  This is Chinese propaganda. It stinks of Chinese fear that India has far surpassed China.

If the USA is smart, it will build an alliance with India.
Posted by: Lagom   2009-06-12 09:42  

#1  Is the disputed border between India and China or India and Tibet - I've lost track of Tibet's borders.
Posted by: Glenmore   2009-06-12 09:03  

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