BEIJING: Chinese analysts have vehemently criticized the claims made by India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar regarding the Chinese territory of Zangnan, denouncing them as a brutal disregard of historic common sense. They view India’s recent actions and remarks as a desperate attempt to bolster Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reelection prospects by adopting a hawkish stance to appeal to domestic nationalist voters.
Jaishankar’s assertion during a lecture at the Institute of South Asian Studies in Singapore that Arunachal Pradesh is “a natural part of India” was met with strong opposition from Chinese analysts. They argue that India’s efforts to assert control over the Zangnan region defy historical facts and are merely aimed at appeasing domestic political interests.
According to Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Institute of International Relations at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, India has consistently used the Zangnan issue as leverage in its relations with China. He warns that China must remain vigilant and prepared to counter any provocations from India to ensure that it does not escalate into a military conflict.
Furthermore, Hu points out that the United States’ support for India only emboldens its anti-China stance, complicating the border issue between China and India and hindering peaceful resolutions.
Jaishankar’s remarks blaming China for disrupting border tranquility in the 2020 standoff were met with skepticism by Chinese analysts. They see it as a deliberate attempt by the Indian government to manipulate public opinion and enhance India’s international standing at China’s expense.
Chinese analysts view India’s actions regarding the Zangnan territory as politically motivated and detrimental to regional stability. They emphasize the importance of maintaining peace and dialogue to address border disputes constructively.
