On Monday, China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi said that US efforts to strengthen economic ties with India and, thereby, weaken China are “doomed to fail.” In an editorial in the Global Times, which is affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, Wang stressed that Washington’s efforts to rope in New Delhi into its ambit is “geopolitical calculation.”
The editorial was written a day ahead of Indian PM Modi’s landmark visit to the US.
“China’s position in the global supply chain cannot be replaced by India or other economies,” he stressed, adding that while India’s exports to the US have been rising (2.81% in 2022-23) over recent years, its imports from China (4.16% in 2022-23) have also been “increasing significantly.”
“China retains the position as the top import source for India,” he highlighted.
Furthermore, he added that even though American companies have started investing and setting up manufacturing units in India, “weaknesses in business environment and industrial supply chain viability [in India] remain major hurdles.” He claimed that these facts disprove the idea that India could replace China’s position in the global supply chain.
Opinion: India’s trade with the US cannot replace its trade with China, nor can India replace China in the global supply chains. The more India exports to the US, the more it needs to import from China. https://t.co/bYCNbpptIV
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) June 19, 2023
“The more India exports to the US, the more it needs to import from China,” Wang said. He added that there exist “common interests among China, India, and the US by maintaining global industrial cooperation.”
“If the US and India want to further develop economic and trade cooperation, they should solve the problems between themselves, rather than targeting China,” he noted.
Wang also claimed that India-US economic ties face a lot of friction and indicated that New Delhi might not be content with the current equation. “The US pays lip service to India but seldom delivers.”
He urged India but to “abandon geopolitical calculation such as considering joining the US “reckless and selfish game to contain China.” “To promote trade and economic cooperation with China is of great importance for India's future growth and development,” Wang emphasised.
Interestingly, Wang Yi's piece comes at a time when US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Wang Yi on his five-day trip to Beijing https://t.co/eoqP7FBBkt
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) June 20, 2023
In a separate Global Times editorial, Chinese analysts warned that the US goal of motivating India to fight China and Russia and further intensify regional tensions towards militarisation and conflict is only wishful thinking on Washington’s part.
The Financial Times also recently cautioned that Washington’s acceptance of Modi comes with a cost, stating that some of India’s elites have observed the US’ charm campaign with dismay. They are concerned that the US is attempting to “use India as a bulwark” against China.