Dealing with China

Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s assurance that the government is ready for any eventuality in Doklam and that India’s territorial integrity will be maintained only raises serious questions in the backdrop of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent address to the Chinese Communist Party, where he threatened fierce war with nations having border disputes with China (“We’re alert in Doklam, says Defence Minister”, March 26). The question the common man asks is why is it that our diplomatic efforts at various fora have failed to defuse border hostilities? China’s animosity towards India, which is reflected in its various anti-Indian stands such as opposition to India’s legitimate bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, cannot be glossed over.

The Prime Minister’s proposed visit to China in June must bear some concrete results which will benefit India in the form of peace not just at the India-China border but also in terms of a de-escalation of Pakistan’s aggression in Kashmir too. Photo-ops are no longer needed.

Mahendra B. Jain,

Belagavi, Karnataka

India must be cautious in dealing with China given its stand after the Doklam stand-off and its growing assertiveness in the Indian Ocean Region. It is increasingly moving from having just an economic role to adopting a more political one in the IOR. That it aims to subsume many South Asian countries should alert India. Although many of us are not aware of Mr. Modi’s itinerary during his visit to China, one hopes that there will be a bilateral summit-level meeting. New Delhi should try to repair its ties with Beijing in a very nuanced manner.

Utkarsh Agrawal,

Allahabad

Now that Chinese President Xi Jinping has consolidated his grip on power, there is a need for India to pursue avenues for rapprochement and get over the strains in ties. India should try to push for strong trade ties. With its economy in not too good a shape, India can’t afford to antagonise China. A friendlier China can help India tackle a hawkish Pakistan.

Mithilesh Sai,

Hyderabad