Why Indian neighbors are attracted to foster closer ties with China

Why Indian neighbors are attracted to foster closer ties with China

Dr.M Anwar


Myths are galore about Indian subjectivity, arrogance mixed with prejudices and wicked mischief which actually reflect Indian imperialist ambitions and hegemonic designs. India cunningly politicizes the issues to fit in her schemes to draw advantage through clever manipulation of events using propaganda as an instrument of her state policy. In her efforts to become a regional power, India sometimes tends to emulate the super power “America” to show her preponderance, bravura and virtuoso. The aim is to intimidate her small neighbors. She frequently dictates terms in all aspects of state functioning disregarding the sovereign status, national interests and legitimate aspirations of South Asian countries. Resultantly the “Shining India” image gets tarnished as India finds her neighbors in a contesting mode.


One wonders as to why South Asian states avert India to develop good neighborly relations? Why there is no substantial progress in the field of financial growth, economic development, cooperation for trade, commerce and other businesses despite the fact that SAARC provides a readily available platform and potential to develop the infrastructure required for the purpose. Why India has failed to attract her South Asian neighbors to develop liking and preference for Indian markets and other businesses? Why has India failed to assume the role of a good leader in South Asia despite her larger size, military strength and acclaimed economic prosperity? Why India could not resolve all the irritants with her neighbors and earn her respect to become a legitimate regional power? Why Indians feel jealous when South Asian sovereign states look towards China to develop bilateral relations and conduct public or private level business with that country?


These are the questions which find answers in Indian acrimonious feelings of hostility and animosity against her small neighbors. In fact India desires to crush her neighbors and occupy their land. Indian discourse is to demand the impossible from her neighbors while her own policies and lines of persuasions remain extremely rigid and intransigent. Resultantly India finds her South Asian neighbors to develop preference for China which is certainly more developed a nation (as compared to India) with rich economic resources and powerful military mechanism. The difference lies in how Chinese behave to earn their respect at international level. They simply respect the international laws and treat the sovereign states with deference taking care of cultural norms and national esteem of the nation concerned. India certainly needs to understand the implications of mutual coexistence and accommodation to win over the hearts and minds of regional countries if she wants to make headway to become a regional leader.

Unfortunately India has developed some complex and chronic irritants with her neighbors which are the major source of their repulsion. India must resolve all conflicts with her neighbors and for that Indian leadership requires a political transformation with mental flexibility to accommodate the demands of her neighbors while reviewing her own unbending and unattainable demands. India must also stop considering any bilateral relations between China and South Asian sovereign states with political contempt and mistrust as all nation states are free to protect their national interests and therefore can venture to acquire their national aspirations anyway they feel appropriate. India needs to learn from Chinese model rather than maintaining confrontational approach using oblique angle vision and rebuking posture for her small neighbors. Her regional or global aspirations are tied to relations with her small neighbors.