China’s readiness for civil nuclear cooperation with India is significant against the backdrop of a controversial nuclear deal between India and US that remains in limbo. Defence cooperation between the two perceived rivals was unthinkable a decade ago, yet both have just concluded joint exercises. The two sides also expressed satisfaction over the conclusion of the first joint military exercise in Kunming in China last month and decided to hold the next exercise in India next year.
India’s desire for Security Council recognition.
The diplomatic language used by both sides revealed the difference of opinion on India’s aspiration for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. It is believed China does not encourage it.
In the joint statement, India stated that “the Indian side reiterates its aspirations for permanent membership of the UN Security Council”. However, China stated “the Chinese side understands and support India’s aspirations to play a great role in the United Nations, including in the Security Council.”
It is noted that the Chinese statement avoided mentioning the permanent membership of the Security Council but stressed instead India’s role in general within the UN and its organs. It is further noted the attempt to increase the number of permanent members of the Security Council in 2005 was largely foiled because of opposition of China and the US, two veto-wielding permanent members of the Council
Dr. Singh’s visit to China comes amid a thaw in relations between the two Asian giants, with both sides looking to sweep aside past border disputes in favour of strengthened economic ties.
China and India have long-standing misgivings about their strategic intents against each other. Beijing fears India’s deepening ties with the US are in part to contain China, while New Delhi perceives Beijing’s increasing influence on Myanmar and Pakistan a threat to its backyard. It appears India’s Prime Minister is aiming to build confidence that its blossoming partnership with the US is not against China.
However, analysts say that genuine cooperation will only be possible when mistrust between them disappears by settlement of territorial disputes and removal of Chinese anxieties that India is not a part of China-containment policy of the US.
Harun Rashid was Ambassador of Bangladesh to the UN in Geneva. He writes a regular column in the leading English daily, The Daily Star, in Bangladesh on political and international affairs. He is an author of several books on foreign policy and international relations.
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