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India to tell US no role for China in South Asia
Asia Pacific News.Net
Sunday 22nd November, 2009 (ANI)
Geneva, Nov.22 : The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, is likely to use his four-day visit to Washington commencing from today, to firmly and emphatically reiterate and re-emphasise to the American leadership, that New Delhi does not see a role for China in South Asia, nor will it tolerate attempted third party guardianship initiatives in the region by Beijing.
Placing its strong objection to the reference made to South Asia in the joint statement issued by Presidents Barack Obama and Hu Jintao in Beijing this week, the Indian Government has ensured that both the United States and China retreat from their proposed mediating efforts on ties between India and Pakistan.
According to sources, China has indicated its appreciation and respect for the Indian position for only having bilateral and direct talks with Pakistan and brooking no interference from outside.
"On China, we have a bilateral relationship with countries and we are not interested in a guardianship role with any, and nor will we accept a guardianship role by any country," said a source.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has said: "The Chinese have said that they respect our position and support direct talks between India and Pakistan."
The Chinese establishment seems to have been told that India will not accept any "guardianship role" by any country.
During President Barack Obama's November 15-18 visit to China, a joint statement on regional and global challenges said: "The two sides welcomed all efforts conducive to peace, stability and development in South Asia. They support the efforts of Afghanistan and Pakistan to fight terrorism, maintain domestic stability and achieve sustainable economic and social development, and support the improvement and growth of relations
between India and Pakistan. The two sides are ready to strengthen communication, dialogue and cooperation on issues related to South Asia and work together to promote peace, stability and development in that region."
India responded aggressively to the purported US-China intent when it made clear that a third party role was not necessary.
Sticking to its stand that no "meaningful dialogue" can take place unless there was a terror-free environment, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said: "The Government of India is committed to resolving all outstanding issues with Pakistan through a peaceful bilateral dialogue in accordance with the Simla Agreement."
"A third country role cannot be envisaged nor is it necessary. We also believe that a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can take place only in an environment free from terror or the threat of terror."
US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, William Burns, said in Washington that while his country is interested in building better relations with China, it would be at the cost of India.
When asked about President Obama not mentioning India in a major speech about Asia"s role in world affairs, Burns said, "The clearest indication of this was the fact that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh"s visit to Washington next week would be the first hosted by the Obama administration."
"On matters of common international concern, the US looked to China and many other countries," said Burns, who is among the top US officials giving finishing touches to a strategic dialogue framework with India to take their relationship to the next level during the visit.
"We look forward to the completion of the remaining steps on both sides," he said, pointing out that US companies stand to benefit a great deal with the implementation of the nuclear deal.
US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer told a press conference this week that it was not Washington's intention to suggest that China could play a role in South Asia.
For the moment, it seems the latest US-China joint statement has proved to be as dead as the India-Pakistan joint statement issued after the Prime Ministers of the two countries - Manmohan Singh and Yusuf Raza Gilani met in the Egyptian resort of Sharm-el-Sheikh in July this year, a non-starter at least with regard to South Asia which will not tolerate Chinese hegemony.  Email this story to a friend
Comments on this story
Simurgh
11-22-09, 12:49 AM |
India to tell US no role for China in South Asia
More grandiose rhetoric from India of peace etc, when its India that wont sign a Gas line deal with Iran, Pakistan and India. Why would India need China and others when it can maintain hegemonic pressure on Pakistan? US/China role would require resolution to Kashmir but India likes to string along Pakistan. India needs a 180 turn in its attitude otherwise Pakistanis don’t want to talk to Indians as well.
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fish
11-22-09, 02:02 PM |
India wants something for nothing - not a surprise
Natural hegemony goes to countries that can demonstrate leadership skills that exhibited self-worth and dignity with continual evolutionary motions and efforts of leading their people out of poverty and miseries. India has not evolved, it has not made any effort nor done anything to improve the livelihood of its people, has not erased the caste discriminations nor class bondages of its people especially with the status of its women, has not shown any ability to make peace with its neighbors after all these years, and it has not done anything worthwhile for anybody as a contributory teamplayer of the world. Its people continue to drive camels on the streets, women worrying about dowries and bride burnings, men relieving themselves in public and there are beggars everywhere. No self-worth. It is just there - a poor place with people scamming each other and collectively on visitors. Not much can be expected of this feudal minded yet crafty and cunning society when no leadership skills are shown nor pre-existed. Just how can respect ever come around? Just hope that with all the tricks and scams, it will not end up with escalating fights with others as it attempts to rise as a world power. Leadership is earned through actions, not from lobbying, poor characters and from total lack of actions. Do harm, get harmed. Do nothing, gain nothing. But Medieval India does not seem to know. It just wants things for free.
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Danni
11-22-09, 03:54 PM |
India wants something for nothing - No Leadership
India has only lip service and without their own indiginous language at that. India could not even control its people or its territories. It is a bunch of small countries with different languages & culture packaged together by the British in the 20th century for sake of convenience. It does not self determination. If it has not created its own nation, how can it determine anything else. It is like building a house without a plan, much like India’s overwhelming slums and shantys towns.
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fish
11-22-09, 05:34 PM |
Outside leadership, none from within
If Britain had not done that, there will not be a London educated Mohandas Gandhi, the flicker of light who was killed by his own people. That region will be far more backward, fragmented and unstable than what it is today. That is, if there is anyone still standing today after going through the inevitable endless tribal wars amongst them.
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