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of China’s compulsive diplomacy of not
souring its relations with New Delhi and
keep the latter in good humour diplo-
matically owing primarily to geopolitical
and geo-economic compulsions dictated
by disenchantment between Beijing
and Washington in the wake of ongoing
• Displaying warmth Modi and Xi discussed a trade spar and china’s tactical gambit
wide range of topics during their recent meeting of pursuing time-buying diplomacy to
maintain regional ambience suitable
for pursuing its long-term programme
proximity between the US and India and China bilateral trade stood at $95 of attaining military and technological
coupled with the fact of internal turmoil billion, with the trade deficit recorded supremacy vis-à-vis the United States.
in Hong Kong and Uighur question are at $57.86 billion. China had invested an Beijing can ill-afford to let Islama-
major compulsive factors that compel estimated $ 2 billion in 2017 in India ass bad slip out of its grip, especially at a
China to maintain cordial relations compared to $ 700 million in 2016. Some time when it has made huge economic
with India and not to incur India’s ire by critics have opined that reference to and strategic investments in Pakistan.
extending support to Pakistan at India’s “radicalisation” should not be construed Besides, Pakistan is a strategic asset for
expense. In other words, the probability in terms of China acceding to India’s ex- Beijing to keep India militarily and eco-
of China perceiving its relations with pectations that Beijing would push Paki- nomically bogged down.
India independent of Pakistan factor stan to take action against terror groups
gaining salience in Chinese diplomacy based in Pakistan. China’s perceptions Way Forward
cannot be ruled out. of radicalism emanating from Uighur According to one opinion, India’s rela-
What actually transpired between Muslim community in Xinjiang province tionship with China has often swung
one-to-one talks spanning over six hours are different from India’s perceptions back and forth between paranoia and
between President Xi and PM Modi is and these critics rule out the likelihood deep suspicion to a calmer assessment of
not known. Apparently, both leaders of Beijing pressurizing Islamabad in this the situation. The notion of unstructured,
discussed a wide range of topics; none- regard to please India. A close reading free-wheeling discussions originated
theless, the devil was in detain of what in between the lines of the two media at Kazakh capital Astana in June 2017
Beijing and New Delhi chose to highlight briefings makes it discernible that nev- where PM Modi and President Xi met
in the respective briefings to the media ertheless, there has been no immediate together in the backdrop of Shanghai
at the end of the summit. Briefing the substantial strategic gain for India from Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
media, Indian foreign secretary told President Xi’s visit; nonetheless, both Breaking away from the protocol bound
that both countries were faced with a sides are politically and economically bilateral meetings, the new format af-
“common challenge “from radicalisa- engaged in negotiations to carry forward fords free-wheeling, frank conversations
tion which they must fight together. their relations. between leaders.
The Indian briefing also noted that both However, some experts have opined
sides also spoke about the trade deficit Pakistan factor that Modi-Xi meeting at Mahabalipu-
between the two countries. However, ac- Undoubtedly, Pakistan shares an all- ram in Tamil Nadu had little to do with
cording to Chinese news agency Xinhua, weather friendship with China and providing a major thrust to India-China
the two leaders “held an extensive talk prime minister of Pakistan has recently relations; and more to do with improv-
during the tour on dialogue and mutual described his country’s ties with china ing BJP’s electoral prospects in Tamil
learning among civilizations” in which Xi “an anchor for regional stability” and Nadu because Modi’s charm offensive
told Modi that Tamil Nadu, as “maritime besides this, China adhered to a series has not conquered Tamil Nadu. By
transit hub for cargoes in the ancient silk of measures favouring Pakistan in the dressing himself in the veshti-and-
road”, has a long history of exchanges aftermath of India’s actions in J&K, angavastram, Modi perhaps quite clearly
with China. again proving that China is Pakistan’s signaled an indication of a kind of “Tamil
The Indian media briefing informed irreplaceable ally; nevertheless, recent Connect” than what was officially spoken
that there was a general discussion on visit of President Xi to India exhibits a of. As one critic has surmised, for the
trade issues and on trying to identify change albeit temporary in Beijing’s BJP in general and PM Modi especially,
new areas for investment and how to en- attitude to Sino-India relations to be domestic politics is never forgotten, even
hance the trade volume and trade value. decoupled from Pakistan. President Xi’s if it comes via international diplomatic
The discussion also included the matter visit to India cannot and should not be channels.
of “trade deficit and trade imbalance. As construed as Beijing’s tilt towards India;
per Chinese official data, in 2018, India nevertheless, it should be viewed as part letters@tehelka.com

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