Indian press cool on China ties

The highest-ranking Chinese politician to visit since ties cooled in 1998

China's Li Peng, who has started a visit to India, can expect a cooler reception from the Indian press than from the Delhi government.

An inexplicably jubilant air of expectation

Kashmir Times

Indian newspapers are sceptical though of claims by both governments that relations are really improving.

According to the Kashmir Times, "an inexplicably jubilant air of expectation" exists concerning Sino-Indian ties.

The press notes any warming in relations cannot hide major differences on three crucial issues.

Border dispute

The Hindu, Daily Excelsior and the Telegraph have all called for Delhi to press upon Mr Li the need for progress on the Sino-Indian border issue.

The Telegraph points out that a recent exchange of maps, seven years after an agreement to work towards clarifying the Line of Actual Control, only deals with the middle sector between Uttar Pradesh and China - not the more contentious western and eastern sectors.

The press has made much too of alleged incursions by China into Arunachal Pradesh in the India's northeast and Ladakh in the northwest.

The Chinese Government has dismissed these reports as "totally groundless" - so too has India's defence minister, but rumours of military tension persist.

Security issues

Secondly, China is being asked to stop its alleged support for India's enemies.

The Telegraph says that Beijing has "a disturbing record" of passing nuclear and missile technology to Pakistan, a charge rejected by China, but the paper asserts China is "in clear violation" of commitments to missile control and nuclear non-proliferation treaties.

According to Uttar Pradesh Today, too, Chinese aid to rebel groups is endangering Indian security.

It alleged that "Chinese terrorists are supplying huge quantities of sophisticated arms and explosives to all seven north-eastern states."

Trade

Thirdly, dailies including the Dinamani and Loksatta are calling for China to stop dumping goods on Indian markets.

China is big threat! The biggest of them all!

The Economic Times

They say cheap Chinese goods are flooding in via Nepal and are concerned that the government will be able to do little once China joins the World Trade Organisation.

The Economic Times exclaims: "Be it the blanket industry of Ludhiana, the toy industry of Mumbai, or the small-time electronics industry of every one of our regions, China is big threat! The biggest of them all!"