Media, diplomats and important officials keep addressing India and China as the two 'Asian Giants'- China - the Dragon, India- the Elephant. But Chinese premier has taken a step ahead to deny the dragon - elephant relationship between the two. Both Wen and Prime Minister Singh took a step ahead to speak out what the two countries see their relation as- Partners in Developmental Cooperation and not Rivals in Competition.
With the uncertainty in the air about the talks going on at the Diplomatic level, it is still not easy to trust Chinese commitments with its selfish moves. China wants to march ahead into Indian markets to try its hands in Indian domestic consumption after capturing a good share in the western economies at large. China seeks a FTA( Free Trade Agreement) with India, with a promise of better access to Indian Companies in IT, Pharmaceuticals and Farm products. But on the other hand, its movement in the Indian ocean seen as the String of pearls, military support to the erring Pakistan Government in terms of its cross border state funded terrorism, infiltration into Indian borders with an attempt to hamper Indian Sovereignty.
Let apart its support to Pakistan, its increasing infrastructure activity in the Tibetan region, and the claim on territories in Arunachal Pradesh. China's prolonged trade imbalance with India, despite India being the second largest trade partner after U.S., and protectionist policies reflect upon the selfishness and self centered behavior of the chinese.
There are 6 agreements that have been signed, but within India, there are sections who are not ready to trust Chinese intentions of the so called wish for healthy natural relations with India, given its appetite for quest for acquisition of more and more territory, no support for human rights. India and China are culturally (political) and ideologically different. We will have to wait and watch to see the outcomes of the bilateral trades very maturely handles by Indian Diplomacy to the best of its intentions and approach. Just hope, given the size of the economy, territory and demographics of the two 'Asian Giants', China actually realizes importance of Sino-Indian relationship as it is necessary to carve the future of nt just South Asia, but the world too.
The only way forward to India is to indulge in the same kind of diplomacy that China takes part in. I mean, we too should enter an agreement if there is more in it for us, than against us. No international agreement is free from a little bit of give and take. However we should be equally smart and wary about any possible Chinese designs that will hamper our growth or affect our sovereignty.
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