BEIJING – The Indian authorities should seriously consider abandoning theold “Greater India” idea and develop a new approach in the 21st century andshould focus mainly on it domestic affairs.
India is facing intensified domestic ethnic conflicts, demonstrations andother difficult issues. India is also at high risk of terrorist attacks. Itis suggested that India should focus mainly on its domestic affairs,according to an article of ‘China Military Online’.
Recently, the South Asian island country Maldives experienced a politicalcrisis. The Indian Foreign Ministry demanded immediately that the Maldivesadministration “must respect and observe the Supreme Court’s order.”
Analysts generally believe that the Maldives’ political crisis is anotherexample of India’s interference in the domestic affairs of neighboringcountries.
For a long time, India has viewed South Asia as its sphere of influence andtherefore has felt unhappy about the development of friendly relations andcooperation between its neighbors and other countries.
Not long ago, Indian Army Chief of Staff General Bipin Rawat said thatNepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan should standwith India, and India should fully support these countries in response toChina’s influence.Currently, Bhutan’s diplomatic and military affairs are led by India.Indian troops are stationed in Bhutan and Bhutan must consult India on itsforeign policy.
Even though it is in the 21st century, India still follows the example ofthe British Empire and attempts to turn all of its neighboring countries inSouth Asia into Indian colonies.India’s intervention in neighboring countries in South Asia is not onlyclearly reflected through its diplomacy but also through its actions,including military operations.In 1971, India launched the third Indo-Pakistani War.
In 1975, India sent troops to disperse the palace guard in Sikkim,imprisoned the king and turned Sikkim into an Indian state.
In 1987, India sent troops to Sri Lanka to suppress the rebel “TamilTigers”, a Tamil militant organization that was based in northeastern SriLanka.In 1988, a group of anti-government Maldivians assisted by armedmercenaries from Sri Lanka launched a military riot in the Maldives, andIndia dispatched an emergency para troop force and put the situation undercontrol.
In recent years, the awakening of the sovereignty awareness in Asiancountries clashed with India’s desire for increased control.
In order to protect their interests, some South Asian countries are tryingto shake off India’s control and develop all-round diplomacy with China andother major powers outside the region.
Recently, two events were considered as a serious humiliation for India inits attempt to dominate South Asia.First, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen signed a free trade agreement withChina and announced the nation’s intention to join the “Belt and RoadInitiative.”
Second, Nepal enabled Internet access through China’s fiber optic cable andthus ended India’s monopoly. Moreover, the Nepali government stronglysupports the construction of the South Asian passageway advocated by China.
In terms of relations with small South Asian countries, the differencebetween China and India is that China believes that all countries, whetherbig or small, are equal.
China supports all South Asian countries to maintain domestic politicalstability and achieve true national independence.
China also hopes to join hands with India to help small countries in SouthAsia develop their economy and raise people’s living standards.
In fact, China’s foreign policy is welcomed by all the people in SouthAsia, including the Indian people.They speak highly of China’s policy of non-interference in the internalaffairs of its neighboring countries and believe that Chinese-Indiancooperation would be conducive to safeguarding peace and stability in SouthAsia and would also help India achieve economic growth.
India on the other hand is facing intensified domestic ethnic conflicts,demonstrations and other difficult issues. India is also at high risk ofterrorist attacks.
It is suggested that India should focus mainly on its domestic affairs. TheIndian authorities should seriously consider abandoning the old “GreaterIndia” idea and develop a new approach in the 21st century. – APP