Illustration: Chen Xia/GT
When Nepal's prime minister made his maiden visit to China early this month - a departure from the usual practice of the country's leaders making India their first official destination - the visit, along with some other regional developments, left India very worried. So, when Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was in India from Sunday to Tuesday for his first overseas visit as head of state, some Indian media outlets described it as a "carnival."
An Indian media outlet ran an opinion piece on Monday with the catchy headline, "Sri Lanka's Pivot Away From China Is A Big Win For India's Foreign Policy." According to the article, the visit underscored "how India remains central and of topmost priority for Sri Lankan leaders and policymakers, despite growing Chinese influence." Meanwhile, the Indian media extensively reported on the Sri Lankan president's "big assurance" to India during his visit that the country would not permit its territory to be "used in any way, in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India."
Regarding the choice of visits by Nepal and Sri Lanka, whether India is worried or cheering for victory, it is forcing regional countries to choose sides between China and India. Long Xingchun, a professor from the School of International Relations at Sichuan International Studies University, told the Global Times that Indian media's coverage of the Sri Lankan president's visit reflects India's mentality as a "regional" power, rather than a global one.
In sharp contrast to India, China does not require small- and medium-sized countries in South Asia to choose sides; rather, it hopes that these countries will make choices that are most beneficial to their own futures - specifically, to work with relevant countries to promote regional peace, stability and development. This is why China-Sri Lanka relations have remained steady over the years, contrary to what the abovementioned article claimed - "Sri Lanka's pivot away from China." Chinese projects such as the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port have significantly boosted Sri Lanka's economic and social development, as well as the overall development of the region. For Sri Lanka, China is a partner that brings peace and development.
With such facts on the table, it is impossible for some Indian media outlets to succeed in sowing discord in China-Sri Lanka relations. While they have attempted to do so, they have ignored the right of a sovereign country like Sri Lanka to choose its partners and have underestimated the ability of the Sri Lankan government and people to determine what is in their best interest.
After all, forcing regional countries to choose sides and adopt an "India first" foreign policy reflects India's long-held, bossy and narrow-minded attitude toward other countries in South Asia, a region India views as its sphere of influence. That is why India perceives China's engagement with regional countries such as Nepal and the Maldives as an attempt to wean them away from New Delhi.
"Three mindsets of India are on display - sour grape, paranoia, and pomposity," says Zhang Xiaoyu, an expert in South Asian Studies, Communication University of China.
China is willing to see its neighboring countries develop friendly relations with other countries. This shows China's diplomatic confidence. In contrast, the "big win" mentality exhibited by some Indian people and media reflects their country's unease and lack of confidence. Some Indian media outlets often suggest that China is using its economic power to lure South Asian countries and view China's participation in regional affairs with skepticism. However, they should consider why China is welcomed in the region. Regional countries' persisting enthusiasm for China stems from its capability and willingness to provide development opportunities these countries desire.
