India should not let its rising wave of religious nationalism push it into war with China, an editorial written by Yu Ning in the Chinese daily Global Times said. What The Indian Express calls a “scathing” piece, said that India should avoid the increasing sentiment or it might risk putting itself in jeopardy.
India is weaker than China in terms of national strength, but its strategists and politicians have shown no wisdom in preventing India’s China policy from being kidnapped by the rising nationalism. This will put India’s own interests in jeopardyYu Ning, Global Times
The article also drew attention to violence against Muslims in the country since the current government came to power in 2014.
The election of Indian PM Narendra Modi has fuelled the country’s nationalist sentiments. Modi took advantage of rising Hindu nationalism to come to power. This, on one hand, has enhanced his prestige and ability to control the country, but on the other, has made India more subject to the influence of conservatives, thus hampering reformYu Ning, Global Times
It added:
The Modi government can do nothing if religious nationalism becomes extreme, as shown in its failure to curb violent incidents against Muslims since he came to power in 2014
Chinese and Indian soldiers have been locked in a face-off in the Doklam area of the Sikkim sector for over a month after Indian troops stopped the Chinese army from building a road in the disputed area.
China claimed that they were constructing the road within their territory and has been demanding immediate pullout of the Indian troops from the disputed Doklam plateau.
New Delhi has expressed concern over road building, apprehending that it may allow Chinese troops to cut India's access to its northeastern states.
India has conveyed to the Chinese government that the road construction would represent a significant change of status quo with serious security implications for it.
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