Western powers, particularly the United States, have been practising the British colonial policy of “divide-and-rule” on a larger scale to wedge a divide between India and China, a Global Times Editorial cited by the Chinese Embassy in India said on Tuesday.
“They concoct and emphasize the concept of dragon-elephant rivalry and engage in sinister psychological manipulation between China and India,” as per the editorial shared by the Chinese Embassy spokesperson Wang Xiaojian.
The editorial goes on to blame the western powers for taking “sides” in the border issue between New Delhi and Beijing. Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged in a military standoff in the eastern Ladakh region since April-May 2020.
The two sides have been able to disengage troops from most of the friction points, thanks to several round of military commander-level and official consultations. However, thousands of troops from both sides remain engaged in a standoff at Depsang Plains and Demchok areas, the last remaining points of contention.
In 2020, New Delhi rejected a mediation offer on the Ladakh dispute from then-US President Donald Trump. At the time, Indian foreign ministry said that it was engaged with Beijing on a bilateral level to resolve the dispute.
“The West seems to be coaxing India in every way, but this cannot conceal its arrogance and exploitation toward India. It should be pointed out that this is exactly the trap for India's pursuit of the path of an independent and powerful country,” the Global Times said.
It further called upon New Delhi to develop “national comprehensive strength and strategic clarity” to get rid of the “colonial imprint”.
China ‘Morally and Emotionally’ Supports India’s Decolonization Process
The Global Times editorial, titled ‘China Morally, Emotionally Supports India’s Decolonization Process’, said that Beijing was strongly supportive of India’s decolonization process as it lauded the inauguration of the country’s new Parliament.
Global Times said that “Asia and the world are big enough to accommodate the simultaneous rise of both China and India,” as it rejected the western narrative of India and China being rivals.
It noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, New Delhi was engaged in the “colossal” decolonization process in the wake of over 200 years of British colonial rule.
The editorial comes ahead of a planned visit by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to New Delhi next month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to embark on a state visit to the US on 22 June, New Delhi announced last month.