Continuing with its hawkish approach towards India, the state-run Chinese media today alleged that rising Hindu nationalism has ‘kidnapped’ India’s China policy and warned that it could lead the two countries to war.
An article in Global Times said that Narendra Modi stormed to power taking advantage of the rising Hindu nationalism but added that it has brought India under control of conservatives which has hampered reforms.
The article alleged that the proponents of Hindu nationalism are demanding the government to pursue tougher foreign policy especially towards China and Pakistan.
However, it reminded India that it is weaker compared to China and warned that New Delhi will jeopardise its own interests if it gets swayed by rising nationalism.
“India is weaker than China in terms of national strength, but its strategists and politicians have shown no wisdom in preventing India's China policy from being kidnapped by rising nationalism. This will put India's own interests in jeopardy. India should be careful and not let religious nationalism push the two countries into war,” the article said.
Referring to India’s debacle in 1962 war, the article said that the defeat inflicted lingering pain on India and has made it suspicious of Chinese strategy.
“China's development is seen as a misfortune to India. The faster China grows, the more fearful they are,” the article added.
Referring to the border standoff between the armies of the two countries in Doklam area, the article accused India of provoking China by first crossing the border and then by not withdrawing troops despite requests made by China.
The article accused India of harbouring deep suspicions toward China and considering it as a rival and a potential enemy.
“India harbours deep strategic suspicion toward China. It considers China as a rival and a potential enemy. For a long time, it has hyped that China is pursuing what is called the ‘String of Pearls’ to encircle India. Despite China's goodwill in inviting India to join the Belt and Road initiative, India insists on interpreting the project as a part of China's strategic containment and encirclement of it,” the article said.
The article also berated Modi government for its failure in curbing what it called “Hindu nationalistic violence” against Muslims after coming to power in 2014.
