Asian powers in the face of US pressure reach a “turning point”

China and India, which have taken a neutral stance in the Ukraine crisis and had rocky relations with each other in recent years, have taken significant steps towards each other. In addition, the two Asian powers are facing strong pressure from the United States, which is trying with all its might to force Beijing and New Delhi to oppose Russia in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had visited India. Indian media reported that Wang Yi met with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

According to the Chinese edition world times, this is the highest visit by a Chinese representative to India in two years since the start of the border dispute between Beijing and New Delhi. Commenting on this visit, which took place against the background of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, some observers believe that there has been a subtle turning point in relations between China and India, which could lead to the breaking of the ice between the countries.

Both China and India kept the Chinese foreign minister’s visit a secret in advance, writes the Global Times: “Some in the outside world have thus speculated: Was there any doubt about the tour? However, it illustrates the pragmatic position of both sides, aiming to broaden their consensus in the face of specific differences. India said the meeting between the two Foreign Ministers lasted about three hours and they both discussed a broad substantive agenda openly and frankly. Both parties recognize the need to maintain communication at a high level.

Sino-Indian relations have seen obvious problems in recent years and have been at their lowest for some time, the Global Times recalls: “One of the main reasons is that some specific disputes between the two countries have given Washington the opportunity to sow discord. Under the noise and courtship of US and Western officials, politicians and opinion groups in India, a tough stance on China has been promoted, which has put pressure on politicians.

On the one hand, many in China are also expressing their dissatisfaction with India’s participation in the quadripartite QUAD alliance, as well as India’s active engagement with the United States, especially the strengthening of military ties. They believe India is helping America contain China.

In this context, continues the editorial of the Global Times, China is taking a very responsible position, adhering to the strategic consensus: “the two countries are not threats to each other, but opportunities for the development of the world. ‘other”. The conflict in Ukraine has given the international community, especially non-Western countries, a new “source of inspiration” and has more clearly laid bare the greatest consensus in China-India relations. This is an opportunity to unfreeze Sino-Indian relations.

“This conflict,” says the Global Times, “has made Indian society feel the dominating way of Washington. Washington has repeatedly blamed and threatened New Delhi with sanctions because India has not followed the US lead in condemning and sanctioning Russia. The United States even openly warned India not to import Russian oil. Forcing India, an emerging great power, is a huge affront to India’s principle of independent diplomacy.”

Indian netizens have already included the subject “I support Putin” on a Twitter hotlist. It is the natural resistance of the Indian society to the hegemonic approaches of Washington, writes a Chinese edition on this subject.

“The Ukraine crisis is a mirror,” says the Global Times editorial. “It should be known that geopolitical disputes with a complex historical background, filled with a divisive position, can slide into an irreversible tragic situation after the aggressive intervention of third-party forces.”

“Of course, it is unrealistic to expect all the differences between China and India to be overcome in the near future. However, China and India can fully expand mutually beneficial cooperation in international affairs. , restore the basis of mutual trust and create more conditions for further resolving bilateral disputes…As for the main goals of common interests, China and India should stick together,” the Global Times said.