Why China Praises India through ‘…Bharat Narrative’ in Global Times, See the Reasons Behind
Is there a change in China’s policy regarding India? Does China want to end the border dispute? Is China really happy with India’s growing power? Does China now want to increase friendship with India? These questions have emerged after an article praising India published in the English edition of China’s official newspaper Global Times. This article is written by Zhang Jiadong, director of the South Asian Study Center at Fudon University in Shanghai.
It is definite that China cannot praise India without a specific strategy and agenda. Before discussing the strategy and agenda, first let us understand what Zhang Jiadong has written!
The article titled ‘Bharat Narrative’ lauds India’s economic policies and diplomatic achievements in the last four years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It also said that “New Delhi’s strategic thinking in foreign policy has evolved, and India is moving towards becoming a great power”.
Zhang Jiadong acknowledged India’s strong economic growth rate, improvements in urban governance and a change in approach to international relations, especially with China.
Jiadong wrote, “For example, when discussing the trade imbalance between China and India, Indian representatives previously mainly focused on China’s measures to reduce the trade imbalance. But now they are placing more emphasis on India’s export potential.”
The article also lauded India’s proactive approach in promoting the “Bharat Narative” and emphasized the country’s strategic confidence. Jiadong wrote that with its rapid economic and social development, India has become more strategically confident and active in creating and developing the ‘Bharat Narative’.
Jiadong has said that, “In the political and cultural spheres, India has moved beyond emphasizing its democratic consensus with the West to highlighting the ‘Indian characteristics’ of democratic politics. Presently, there is even greater emphasis on the Indian roots of democratic politics.”
According to the author, this shift reflects India’s ambitions to move away from its historical colonial shadow and establish itself as a globally influential personality, both politically and culturally.
This article in Global Times praised India’s foreign policy strategy under PM Modi, which highlighted the country’s multi-alignment (multipolar views) and displayed neutral stance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict with the US, Japan and strengthened ties with major global powers such as Russia. ,
Throwing light on India’s strategic thinking in foreign policy, the article says that it has undergone another change and it is “moving towards a great strategic power”.
“Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power, he has advocated a multi-polar strategy to boost India’s relations with the US, Japan, Russia and other countries and regional organisations,” Zhang said.
The article further states that India has always considered itself a world power. However, it has been only less than 10 years since India shifted from multi-balancing to multi-alignment, and it is now increasingly shifting towards a strategy of becoming a pole in a multipolar world.
“It appears that a changed, stronger and more assertive India has become a new geopolitical factor that many countries need to consider,” Zhang said.
To understand the implications of this article published in Global Times, one has to understand some special terminology used in it.
1- Jiadong writes that ‘New Delhi’s strategic thinking has evolved.’ What Jiadong means here is to prove China as senior and India as junior.
2- When Jiadong writes that “In the political and cultural spheres, India has moved beyond emphasizing its democratic consensus with the West to highlighting the ‘Indian characteristics’ of democratic politics.” So, doesn’t this mean hitting the ego of the western countries and making them suspicious of India?
3- Global Times has not even mentioned the “Bharat Narative” in a conspiracy to sour the minds of America, England, Europe and Arab countries.
4- Jiadong’s comment “…this shift reflects India’s ambitions to move away from its historical colonial shadow and establish itself as a global influence politically and culturally” Was this intended to provoke the British think tank? Has not been done.
5- Another special comment from Jiadong, “It appears that a changed, stronger and more assertive India has become a new geo-political factor that many countries need to consider.” What does this mean? This is a praise of India and an attempt to create thorns in India’s path.
Let us assume for once that Jiadong Saheb came to India, saw the new India, saw the progress, saw the self-confidence, then why did he not see India’s policy of zero tolerance against terrorism.
Why didn’t he praise ?
Jiadong only saw the “Bharat Narative” with a specific purpose but did not see Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. He saw the ambition of a culturally dominant India but why he could not see mutual unity among the various cultural societies, communities and sects of India.
Jiadong only saw the “Bharat Narrative” with a specific purpose… but did not see Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. He saw the ambition of a culturally dominant India but why he could not see unity in diversity, and unity among the various cultural social, communities, cast, cread and sects of India.
There is always a difference between China’s actions and words. Do you remember, the Panchsheel agreement with Jawaharlal Nehru, the slogans of Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai and then attacking in 1962 and sitting on Aksai Chin…. Just as the thorn of Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir across the LOC has pricked the heart of India, Aksai Chin too.
If China’s intentions were right, Jiadong’s article would have hinted at resolving the border dispute. India’s policy on terrorism would have been praised. There would have been scope for India to open the closed Chinese market. There was a desire to end anti-India campaigns in Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Maldives. If China had written this article with the right intentions, it would have directly or indirectly condemned Pakistan sponsored terrorism. An initiative to retreat in Ladakh should be there…!
Janaab! It is not necessary that the enemy will attack with weapons only, he can attack with ‘pen’ also. China: Do not assume that this pen was sugar coated, this is an article written with cyanide’s ink. The conspiracy behind Jiadong’s words has to be understood.