As the BJP-led NDA gears up to establish a government once more under the stewardship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the third successive term, a prominent English-language newspaper from China asserted on Thursday that the current scenario presents an "ideal moment to recalibrate relations" between the two neighboring nations.
"The two countries should demonstrate they have the wisdom to settle the dispute through negotiations in good faith. To that purpose, while maintaining their close communication through diplomatic and military channels, they should not allow any external power to take advantage of their border dispute to sow discord between them," remarked the state-controlled 'China Daily' in an editorial.
Emphasizing the shared interests outweighing disparities between China and India as neighbors and the two largest developing countries, the editorial criticized "certain Western nations" for fostering distrust between New Delhi and Beijing.
"Although the border dispute has flared up and the Indian government has been implementing protectionist measures targeting Chinese companies, investments and imports since 2020, the bilateral trade volume has remained sizable and stable, staying between $120 billion and $130 billion over the past three years. This should prompt New Delhi not to let its Western supplicants have its ear," the editorial underscored.
Highlighting that the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections offer India a chance to "reassess its previous China policy" and further explore the potential of Sino-Indian relations, the editorial stressed the need for mutual support and contribution rather than suspicion and undermining.
It maintained that China's progress does not pose risks, uncertainties, or threats to India, but rather offers growth, development, and opportunities, reciprocally.
"Combined, the population of the two countries accounts for about 37.5 per cent of the global population. The two neighbours should be open to each other's development and always make joint efforts to approach bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective.
"The strong complementarity between their economic structures and development stages makes them good partners; their historical cultural and people-to-people bonds make them good neighbours; and by upholding their strategic autonomy on the world stage, they can safeguard world peace and stability and promote a just and fair international order and multilateral global governance,"elaborated the China Daily editorial.
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