Sino-Indian ties

Sir, - Mr. K. R. Narayanan's week-long visit to China seems to have generated considerable neighbourly bonhomie between the world's two most populous countries. Nonetheless, only time will tell how far this bonhomie can be translated into amicably resolving the umpteen differences souring the Sino-Indian ties. It would not be the height of cynicism to conclude that even with Mr. Narayanan's skilful diplomacy, behind the diplomatic veneer the Chinese leaders shrewdly evaded most of the sensitive issues plaguing the bilateral relations. After all, old habits die hard and decades of mistrust alienating the countries cannot be wished away so soon.

Viewed pragmatically, it is not far to seek that it is India's pro-liberalisation economic reforms, combined with its giant strides in the IT industry that is earning it substantial diplomatic mileage, bringing even the hitherto alienated Chinese closer to the country.

One can't help but notice that though the President stressed the importance of the immediate resolution of the border dispute, the Chinese leaders, while agreeing to address the problem, indefinitely put off the issue of delineating the Line of Actual Control.

Although Britain, France and Russia have endorsed India's claim to a permanent membership of the U.N. Security Council, China remained non-committal on the issue. As a consolation, it agreed on the need to restructure the U.N. and expand the Security Council to make it more representative.

In spite of wholeheartedly agreeing to move towards greater cooperation on issues such as war against international terrorism, it refrained from commenting on Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism in Kashmir. The obvious inference is that in the power equation, China will continue to support its `all weather friend' Pakistan and chances are that it will continue to supply nuclear and missile technology to its long-time ally, perhaps to ensure that India which is emerging as a major player in the international arena does not get too big for its boots. Nevertheless, with the changing post-Cold War scenario coinciding with China's open-door policy, the country's interest is now focussed on ensuring a peaceful environment to pursue its modernisation. With India's pro-liberalisation economic reforms, it would naturally look for economic and cultural cooperation with its neighbour.

With the President's landmark visit now, India and China are no longer `political rivals' but given the unpredictability of Chinese diplomacy and contentious issues like delineation of the LAC hanging like the sword of Damocles over their heads, it will be a while before the two countries can come close to being `political allies.'

Nalini Vijayaraghavan,

Thiruvananthapuram

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