India haunted by containment delusion
Global Times
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The first China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Dialogue took place in Beijing on Tuesday. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted that Beijing and Islamabad are willing to proactively discuss with Kabul extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan. Quite a few Indian mainstream media immediately showed their nervousness, suspecting that China is doing so to further contain India. 


The dialogue among foreign ministers of the three countries was held to improve ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stabilize the situation in the region and promote economic cooperation. 

The joint press release issued on Tuesday highlighted "fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations without any distinction" and "not to allow any country, organization or individual to use their respective territories for terrorist activities against any other countries." This is exactly what India has been asking for, since New Delhi has kept complaining that some terrorist groups are infiltrating India from bases in Pakistan. 

However, Indian media are taking a highly skeptical attitude toward the foreign ministers' meeting in Beijing. It feels uncomfortable to see these three officials sit together, even when they are discussing a totally harmless issue or even one favorable to New Delhi. 

Indians should get rid of the "being besieged by China delusion." This delusion stems from the strong consciousness over sphere of influence among Indian elites. They believe that South Asia and the peripheral area of India should be New Delhi's turf. Every nation in the region should respect only India and reject developing relations with other countries. Until today, India is keeping the diplomatic and defense sovereignty of Bhutan under control and many Indians are taking it for granted. 

Honestly, India should stop treating those small countries around it as its mistresses and showing no tolerance when they interact with other major powers. 

China does not want to engage in geopolitical games with India as they do not accord with China's interests. But Beijing and New Delhi have different understandings of fostering friendly ties with each other. Beijing advocates the two sides' own diplomacy should not be restrained by friendly Sino-Indian ties. Yet India has been asking China time and again to show good will by sacrificing Beijing's interests and relations with other nations. This is immature capriciousness. 

The primary strategic task for both China and India is development. Confrontation can only weaken their ability to share development opportunities. Western nations would enjoy watching Beijing and New Delhi's suspicious manners towards each other. 

Once the two slightly indulge their nationalism against each other, they may easily fall into the trap created by the West.