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The Print
a day ago
- Politics
- The Print
India's ‘triple anxiety'—What Chinese media sees in Jaishankar's Beijing visit
Much of the Chinese chatter frames India's outreach as an olive branch. Jaishankar arrived in Beijing 72 hours ahead of the SCO meet and met Vice President Han Zheng , an unusual protocol break interpreted as urgency. On Weibo, the hashtag 'Indian External Affairs Minister visits China after five years' sparked considerable discussion. One post bluntly read : 'India appeared to act quickly in an effort to appease China.' The mood across Chinese policy circles and online platforms suggests that Beijing sees this as more than symbolic. Some interpret Jaishankar's trip as a recalibration of India's China policy; others view it as a tactical retreat driven by economic and strategic compulsions. Either way, the visit reflects the complex realities shaping India-China relations today. Chinese media and online commentators are abuzz : Why did India's External Affairs Minister, widely viewed as a 'China hawk', suddenly moderate his tone during his recent China visit? S Jaishankar's visit, his first to China in five years, and the first since the 2020 Galwan clashes, was ostensibly for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers' Meeting. But to many Chinese observers, this was no routine diplomatic engagement. The optics were striking. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's choice of meeting venue—the Fujian room of the Great Hall of the People, dominated by a mural of the Himalayas, was rich with symbolism. It served as a visual reminder that, while China is open to dialogue, its red lines [Line of Actual Control and Tibet] remain non-negotiable. A commentator mentioned that Jaishankar's usual tough rhetoric was notably absent. His earlier warnings that neighbours must 'obey or pay the price' gave way to calls for 'dialogue', 'communication', and mutual respect for 'each other's core interests'—this perceived shift was dismissed by online commentary as 'second cowardice', it viewed it as a sign of retreat rather than pragmatism. Chinese analysts argue that Jaishankar's early arrival was not just about diplomacy; it was a response to what they perceive as India's triple anxiety: India's rare earth crisis, breakdowns in shipping routes, and its waning influence in BRICS and the SCO. They also suggest that India's economic vulnerabilities, especially in electronics and pharmaceuticals, are pushing it closer to China, despite geopolitical tensions. The speculation is that New Delhi may be hoping for a softening of China's export restrictions on rare earth minerals in exchange for a more flexible Indian stance on multilateral issues. In this framing, what appears to be diplomacy is economic triage. One commentator offers a bleak assessment of India's position, arguing that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's balancing act between the US and China is unravelling, leaving India isolated within the SCO and exposing its 'wall-rider' strategy as untenable. They described Jaishankar's visit as 'Modi's life-saving straw,' a desperate attempt to salvage ties. Chinese critics contend that since the Trump administration, Washington has treated India more like a subordinate than a partner, pressuring it to purchase expensive US weapons. From this perspective, India is playing with the two powers, gaining little from either. Also read: China's information war against Rafale Warnings and veiled threats Chinese strategic voices are issuing veiled threats to India. Liu Zongyi, Director at the Centre for South Asian Studies in Shanghai, called India a 'chronic internal cancer' within the SCO, accusing it of obstruction and opportunism. He urged Beijing to focus less on wooing Modi and more on reforming the organisation. Xie Chao, Associate Research Fellow, Center for South Asian Studies, Fudan University, cautioned that India's growing closeness with the US would only deepen friction with China, warning that the balancing act was 'nearing its end.' Another commentator pointed to India's stance on the China-Pakistan nexus and said the region could no longer afford old confrontations. 'India has great opportunities, it should seize them wisely,' he wrote, in what read like both advice and a warning. Jin Cangrong, a distinguished professor at Renmin University, accused India of harbouring hegemonic ambitions in South Asia and of clinging to a colonial mindset. Border dispute, he argued, stems not from Chinese aggression but from India's historical delusions of grandeur. In a direct clash, Jin predicted, India would find itself outmatched—not militarily, but institutionally, hindered by weak reform and an outdated leadership class. 'India can intimidate its smaller neighbours,' he said, 'but China will not be bullied.' Also read: Victor Gao claims all land north of Ganga for China. People say he's a 'diplomatic fighter' A dismissal of Beijing's outreach Chinese discourse suggests that Modi's China policy has fallen short of Delhi's expectations. The fallout from the US-China tariff war has revealed the limits of aligning with the West. In this view, renewed engagement with China is not a diplomatic gesture but a strategic necessity, driven by both economic and geopolitical imperatives. Jaishankar's visit has been widely portrayed in Chinese discourse as a concession, reinforcing the image of China's policy as righteous, muscular and unyielding. This narrative, however, overlooks Beijing's own quiet overtures and the broader pressures informing India's measured approach. It also underestimates the nuance of Indian foreign policy, which, despite its contradictions, is shaped by strategic interests, not submission, appeasement, or fear. Sana Hashmi, PhD, is a fellow at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation. She tweets @sanahshmi. Views are personal. (Edited by Theres Sudeep)
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Congress demands detailed debate on China in Parliament, says ‘happened after 1962 conflict too'
New Delhi: The Congress party on Tuesday demanded a full-fledged debate on China in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, in light of the two nations heading towards 're-normalisation and resetting' of ties, as stated by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar after the SCO foreign ministers' meeting in China. EAM Jaishankar, during his visit to China, the first in five years after the 2020 Galwan clashes, met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Monday and noted the improvement in bilateral relations between the two nations. Taking note of the development, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh argued that if the country's Parliament could discuss the border situation in 1962, when the Chinese invasion was at its peak, why could a similar debate not take place now. 'We hope that the Prime Minister will finally agree to such a discussion,' he wrote on X and stressed on the need for it, given China's fast ascent in the global power matrix. 'It is essential to build a national consensus on the critical security and economic challenges arising from China's rise as the world's leading manufacturing power and its position as the second-largest economy, one that may well surpass the United States within a decade,' he further said. Jairam Ramesh said that the Congress has been pushing for such a debate since 2020 and also reminded the government of China's misadventures and misdeeds in the past few months and years, despite the EAM's claims of ties between the two nations warming up after the PM Modi-President Xi Jinping meeting last year. After meeting with the Chinese Vice-President, EAM Jaishankar said that the normalisation in ties would yield 'positive outcomes'. The Congress leader questioned this optimism and pointed to multiple Chinese actions in the recent past that will only hurt Indian interests in the subcontinent. Raising strong concerns over China's tacit support to Pakistan during 'Operation Sindoor', he said that the dragon was using it as a testing ground for its network-centric warfare and weapon systems. He cited Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Rahul R Singh's statement that India fought three adversaries in 'Operation Sindoor', including China that gave Pakistan 'live inputs' i.e. real time Intelligence on Indian military operations and also warned that Pakistan could soon strike a deal to acquire Chinese J-35 stealth fighters in the near future. 'China has restricted exports to India of critical materials like Rare-Earth magnets, speciality fertilisers, and tunnel-boring machines for infrastructure projects and it may impact many important sectors including telecom, pharmaceuticals, and electronics as they are critically dependent on Chinese imports,' the Congress leader pointed out. He also claimed that Indian patrols still require Chinese concurrence to reach their patrolling points in Depsang, Demchok, and Chumar. 'Buffer zones in Galwan, Hot Spring, and Pangong Tso lie predominantly within the Indian claim line, preventing our troops from accessing points to which they had unrestricted access before April 2020,' he said. He also recalled the EAM's acceptance of China as the 'bigger economy' and the 'clean chit' by the Centre, stating that this only emboldened the dragon in its cover-up exercise internationally, despite infringement of Indian territory.
India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Why Jaishankar's Visit To China Matters Amid Global Tensions- DNA Decorded
Amid rising global tensions and former US President Donald Trump's aggressive stance against BRICS nations, including proposed 10 per cent tariffs, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to Beijing has gained strategic significance. This visit comes five years after the Galwan clash and follows heightened distrust after Operation Sindoor, where India accused China of backing Pakistan. Jaishankar first met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who highlighted PM Modi and President Xi Jinping's 2023 Kazan meeting as a fresh start in bilateral ties. Han advocated high-level cooperation and mutual sensitivity, even using the symbolic term 'Dragon-Elephant Dance' to promote Indo-China collaboration. Watch DNA's Full Episode एक सीएम की 'कट्टरपंथी-छलांग' का विश्लेषण छांगुर के 'अतीक मॉडल' का DNA टेस्ट ट्रंप का 'खालिस्तान मिटाओ अभियान' शुरू.. देखिए #DNA LIVE Rahul Sinha के साथ#ZeeLive #ZeeNews #DNAWithRahulSinha @RahulSinhaTV — Zee News (@ZeeNews) July 14, 2025 China's discomfort with US sanctions and trade threats has made it more open to improving ties with India. However, India has made it clear: trust needs action. During his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Jaishankar emphasised zero tolerance for terrorism and urged China to stop shielding Pakistan-sponsored terrorists at the UN. He also raised LAC tensions, rare earth metal exports which means India relies on China for 80 per cent of key minerals used in electronics. Jaishankar demanded lifting export barriers impacting India's production capacity. Jaishankar also stated that stable India-China ties benefit the world but cooperation is meaningless if China restricts exports and supports hostile nations. India recently hardened its stance on Tibet and the Dalai Lama, prompting Chinese unease. Just before Jaishankar's visit, Beijing warned that the Dalai Lama's succession is a sticking point. Meanwhile, China and Pakistan's plan to form a new SAARC without India was foiled by Nepal, which insisted on India's inclusion. That, too, signalled regional backing for India.
News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Playing Xizang Card…': China Says Dalai Lama Succession Thorn In Ties With India
Last Updated: China said India should be aware that the Dalai Lama's reincarnation and succession is an "inherently internal affair of China, brooking no interference of any external forces" Ahead of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to China – the first time since the Galwan clashes in 2020 – China on Sunday said the succession of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is a thorn in its relations with India. The Chinese embassy in New Delhi said India should be 'fully cognizant" to the sensitive nature of issues related to 'Xizang' – a term used by China to refer to Tibet – and that the reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama is an 'inherently internal affair of China, brooking no interference of any external forces". 'In reality, Xizang-related issue is a thorn in China-India relations and has become a burden for India. Playing the 'Xizang card" will definitely end up shooting oneself in the foot," Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in India, wrote on social media platform X. 🔹It has been noted some people from strategic and academic communities, including former officials, have made some improper remarks on the reincarnation of Dalai Lama, contrary to Indian government's public stance.🔹As professionals in foreign affairs, they should be fully… — Yu Jing (@ChinaSpox_India) July 13, 2025 WHAT DID CHINA SAY ABOUT 'XIZANG'? noted 'some people from strategic and academic communities, including former officials" have made 'improper remarks" on the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. This, Beijing claimed, is 'contrary to Indian government's public stance". ' Yu did not name anyone but in recent days, Indian strategic affairs analysts and a government minister backed the Dalai Lama's remarks on his succession. The Indian government has made political commitments to China and recognises Xizang Autonomous Region as part of the territory of the People's Republic of China, Yu said. It does not allow Tibetans to engage in political activity against China in India, the embassy official added. WHAT IS INDIA'S STANCE? Earlier, too, China had warned India over the 'sensitivity of issues" related to Tibet and the Dalai Lama by using the term 'Xizang' for Tibet. It had said India should avoid interfering in China's internal affairs. It was objecting to remarks made by Union minister Kiren Rijiju, who sat next to the Dalai Lama during the birthday festivities a week ago, and said as a practising Buddhist, he believes only the spiritual guru and his office have the authority to decide on his reincarnation. His remarks seemingly backed the Dalai Lama's statement that China had no role to play in his succession. Calling this 'anti-China separatist nature", Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called on India to honour its Tibet-related commitments. In response to this, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) had said the central government does not have a position on the succession of the Dalai Lama. It reiterated India's stance of not taking a position on faith or religion. 'Government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, while responding to media queries on July 4. 'The government has always upheld freedom of religion for all in India and will continue to do so." Ahead of celebrations this month for his 90th birthday that were attended by senior Indian ministers, the Dalai Lama riled China again by saying it had no role in his succession. Tibetans believe the soul of any senior Buddhist monk is reincarnated after his death, but China says the succession will also have to be approved by its leaders. The Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India since 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet, and Indian foreign relations experts said his presence gives New Delhi leverage against China. India is also home to about 70,000 Tibetans and a Tibetan government-in-exile. (With agency inputs) Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Exclusive: Salman Khan pushed me to explore commercial roles, says Chitrangada Singh
Chitrangda Singh has joined the cast of Salman Khan's upcoming film 'Battle of Galwan'. The actor marks her debut in the Salman Khan film universe with the upcoming movie. Speaking exclusively to India Today, she shared that the project also holds a very personal space for her. Coming from an army background, her father is a retired army colonel, and she grew up hearing stories of courage, sacrifice, and about her association with 'Galwan' and her earliest memory of meeting Salman Khan, Chitrangda says, 'I remember how coincidentally, I was shooting at a studio in Mumbai, right next to where Mr. Khan was working. We happened to cross paths and ended up chatting about our respective projects. During that brief but meaningful conversation, he encouraged me to explore more commercial and challenging roles, and he genuinely appreciated the kind of work I was doing and my approach to acting."She continued, "That interaction stayed with me. It gave me the confidence to take a leap when I was approached for 'Battle of Galwan' - a grounded, intense role that I may have hesitated to accept earlier. Sometimes, all it takes is a moment like that to shift your perspective." The first schedule of Galwan begins soon and Salman has been prepping for the film by getting physically ready for the film. He's been working out with a trainer to lose weight and also increase muscle Khan unveiled the first-look poster of his upcoming film on July 4. The poster features the actor with bloodstains on his face, a fierce moustache, and intense patriotism in his eyes. The film is based on one of India's most brutal confrontations - fought without a single bullet being fired.- EndsMust Watch
