While India celebrates 69th Republic Republic day along with the leaders of 10 ASEAN countries, Chinese media is supposedly not happy. Chinese state daily Global Times published an editorial piece today titled as “India’s geopolitical bluff baffles China”. While noting that “India and ASEAN have the right to hold the summit, which exerts no negative effect upon China”, the editorial blamed “some Indians” of being “tenacious in exaggerating the meeting’s implications to China.”
The editorial claims that the ASEAN leaders’ visit to India will have no influence on China. “ASEAN’s trade volume with China is more than six times that of India, and China’s investment in the region is 10 times that of India,” Global Times claimed while alleging “some members of the Indian elite enjoy engaging in geopolitical bluster.”
“But they cannot truly gauge the reality of India’s comprehensive strength and diplomatic experience. They are beginners playing at geopoliticsm” it said.
The editorial said that “Chinese people are not occupied by India.” However, it is remarkable that the Chinese daily never let goes an occasion to denounce India, and mock it through its editorials. It goes on to elucidate: “Honestly speaking, Chinese people are not occupied by India. New Delhi is not Beijing’s major trading partner, and, despite border disputes, is not an imminent security threat to us Chinese. China expects peaceful coexistence with India and is happy to witness its cultural and societal progress. China attaches more importance to its eastward development and the Belt and Road initiative.”
Indirectly, the editorial suggested India not to match itself with Beijing. “China never compares itself to the US, because its GDP is only two-thirds that of the US. However, New Delhi, with a GDP only one-fifth that of China, has been striving to prevail over Beijing in almost all aspects.”
“The Sino-ASEAN relationship is sound and solid. In spite of territorial disputes, Beijing-Hanoi trade volume exceeds that of Beijing and New Delhi. The China-ASEAN relationship is inclusive and surpasses traditional geopolitics,” it said.
Nevertheless, Global Times wrote that both countries should work together for development. “China and India should work together for development.
On the Republic Day 2018, India displayed military prowess, culture, and diversity in the presence of leaders of the 10 ASEAN nations, who attended the Republic Day parade as chief guests. On Rajpath, a march past was organised by the Army personnel carrying the ASEAN flag. As many as 23 tableaux, incorporating those representing various states, ministries, the All India Radio (AIR) among others, will also roll down the Rajpath. The ASEAN was founded in 1967, now comprising Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei.