China To India: America’s Indo-Pacific Strategy Will Cost You
02 July 2018
India should not fall victim to the United States’ purpose of containing China’s rise and instead it should look to China for ways of self-development, the hardline Chinese state media outlet Global Times has said in an editorial.
“The US has been generous about its fondness for India in rhetoric. But whether the fondness is what Indians need the most, or if the value is worth the price, remains undetermined,” the editorial said, referring to the cancellation of the US-India “2+2 dialogue”.
Global Times, which is run by People’s Daily – a mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, said that India is stand to lose more than it can gain from the so called Indo-Pacific startegy of US.
“The subtext of this strategy of the United States is that it hopes India can play an essential role in balancing the rise of China. Does India really want to play the role that the US expects? Don’t forget that this strategy has a strong military stance against China. At the very least, it is re-dividing Asia-Pacific with Cold War thinking,” the editorial said.
“It is understandable that India wants to keep its sphere of influence as an emerging power, but this shouldn’t come at the cost of its domestic development. Indulging in the game of military balance will only consume India’s strength.”
The article further warned that the US’ strategy is hampering, not aiding, India’s domestic development
“Rather than falling victim to the US’ purpose of containing China’s rise, it is better for India to look to China for ways of selfdevelopment. What India can learn from China is that its ability to stand on its own feet will determine its place in Asia and the world.”
India, the article said, is at a critical juncture in its development and its “number one challenge is how India can lay the foundation for manufacturing and infrastructure to fully enter the global production chain.”
“From this perspective, it is China, not the United States, that can provide more support and knowledge to India. If India follows the US strategy step by step, it will lose future opportunities to cooperate with China and many other neighboring countries. India should be able to understand the situation,” the article concluded.
Courtesy: ET