19.12.11

India & China

The proposed February launch of India’s Agni-V missile has ruffled feathers among Chinese policymakers with Communist Party organ People’s Daily saying it reflects India’s “intention of seeking regional balance of power”. It quoted Indian officials describing Agni-V as a “killer” for a “certain country” without naming it. India “cannot tolerate” internal and external security environment constraints that come in the way of its developing military clout, the article said. But it made no mention of China’s massive missile build-up and development of air strike capabilities, including the launch of an aircraft carrier that has caused concern among its sea neighbours and the US. “It is the Indian goal to continue to strengthen the military and possess a military clout that matches its status as a major power,” it said. The article comes in the wake of Chinese experts’ concern about the strengthening India-US military ties. They have voiced concerns about India joining the American game plan of “encircling China” by playing on the grouse of its sea neighbours—Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan. Beijing has vehemently opposed an ONGC deal for oil exploration in South China Sea. It said India should stop putting too much faith in the new US policy on the Asia Pacific region as “thinking this move will have its imaginary enemy would be naïve”. It also said, “India should cooperate with the neighbours instead of being hostile... There is no real winner in wars and peace opportunities must not be wasted.”

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