BEJING: Chinese state media has once again extended invitation to India tojoin the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and advised New Dehli toshun policy of antagonism towards its neighbours.
State-owned Global Times in an opinion piece on Tuesday stated that majorworld powers have abandoned the traditional mind-set of geopoliticalcompetition after the Cold War and embraced peace and development inkeeping with the spirit of the times. However, some countries, such asIndia, still swear by the outdated geopolitical strategy and base theirsense of security on narrow national interests and political confrontation.
India’s strategic considerations are underpinned by its traditionalgeopolitical strategy. India reckons regional cooperation promoted by Chinawill bring about a zero-sum game and even jeopardize its national securityand interests. New Delhi’s clout will weaken because of its dwindling tieswith adjacent states.
When some powers outside the region enter and affect India’s sphere ofinfluence, more countries in the region are eager to break away with India.As a result, the geopolitical game in the region surrounding India islikely to grow stronger.
India’s opposition to the Belt and Road initiative not only deprives it ofan opportunity for development and shows its jealousy toward its neighborsgaining from the initiative, but also reflects New Delhi’s dread anddelusion with China attempting to grab its sphere of influence.
In addition, the world may suspect that Beijing is trying to isolate NewDelhi through the initiative. Hence, India’s allegation that its nationalinterests will likely be affected by China’s efforts to extend the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan may sound reasonable.Undeniably, India brings trouble to itself making it lose developmentopportunities.
In fact, the Belt and Road initiative is designed to boost internationalcooperation following the principle of shared growth through discussion andwin-win cooperation.
Instead of pursuing a country’s growth at the cost of others or damaginginterests of a nation, the initiative is a new geopolitical collaborativemodel characterized by joint participation and shared development.
China and other countries welcome India to join the initiative. Extendingthe CPEC to Afghanistan is not intended to undermine India, but to enhancethe economic corridor.
As emerging powers responsible for propelling the new international order,China and India should abandon an outdated antagonistic mind-set, upholdthe values of friendship, justice and shared interests, participate inregional governance and develop new state-to-state relations.
That’s how we can foster a peaceful global environment and stableinternational order, strive for development featuring openness, innovation,inclusiveness and mutual benefits, boost national, regional and globaldevelopment and build a community with a shared future for mankind.