India, Chi should not be rivals: Chinese commentary

Beijing, July 2: The Chinese state-run media on Sunday urged India to get over its “Chi anxiety” and said that New Delhi and Beijing, instead of being rivals, “could become cooperative partners”. “Concerns over a rising Chi have, to some extent, spiralled into a kind of ‘strategic anxiety’ regarding the country among some Indian politicians,” Xinhua news agency said in a commentary. It said the “misleading, unfounded ‘Chi-phobia’ might lead to strategic myopia and hurt India’s own interests”.

The commentary said while the Indian decision to boycott the Chi-proposed Belt and Road Initiative may be understandable, “staying away is not the best choice New Delhi could have made”. “It could have voiced its concerns and opinions on public occasions or in official statements as Chi is always willing to discuss all problems and possibilities with India on the basis of mutual benefits.”

The commentary insisted that though proposed by Chi, the Belt and Road was not a “Chinese project”. “As many experts and alysts have pointed out, the Belt and Road provides a monumental opportunity for the win-win cooperation between India and Chi, which are quite complementary economically.” India is strongly opposed to the construction of the Chi Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through the Pakistan-administered Kashmir which it claims is its territory.

“While bearing in mind its sovereignty concerns, it is in India’s own vital and long-term tiol interests to join the initiative and become an important player in it,” it said. “Instead of being rivals, the two countries, both of which are ancient civilizations endowed with a rich history, could become cooperative partners,” it added. (IANS)