NEW DELHI, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Officials in New Delhi downplayed a commentary from a Beijing think tank that said China should push to break India into several independent nation states.
Zhan Lue, an analyst with the China International Institute for Strategic Studies, suggested that Beijing collaborate with ethnic Assamese, Tamils and Kashmiris to establish their own independent nation.
Zhan writes that India could be divided into as many as 30 independent nation-states similar to the European Union as part of an effort to eliminate the caste system and move toward social reforms in South Asia.
The recommendation provoked outrage from several officials, who noted the publication came on the heels of bilateral talks between China and India during the weekend meant to bolster bilateral ties.
Vishnu Prakash, a spokesman for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, downplayed the report, saying it represented the opinion of one individual and not Beijing, the Economic Times of India reports.
"We continue to maintain that opinions and assessment on the state of India-China relations should be expressed after careful judgment based on the long-term interests of building a stable relationship between the two countries," he said.
Regardless, critics note the publication appears in line with current trends in China, as Beijing recently moved to block a loan to India from the Asian Development Bank
Zhan Lue, an analyst with the China International Institute for Strategic Studies, suggested that Beijing collaborate with ethnic Assamese, Tamils and Kashmiris to establish their own independent nation.
Zhan writes that India could be divided into as many as 30 independent nation-states similar to the European Union as part of an effort to eliminate the caste system and move toward social reforms in South Asia.
The recommendation provoked outrage from several officials, who noted the publication came on the heels of bilateral talks between China and India during the weekend meant to bolster bilateral ties.
Vishnu Prakash, a spokesman for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, downplayed the report, saying it represented the opinion of one individual and not Beijing, the Economic Times of India reports.
"We continue to maintain that opinions and assessment on the state of India-China relations should be expressed after careful judgment based on the long-term interests of building a stable relationship between the two countries," he said.
Regardless, critics note the publication appears in line with current trends in China, as Beijing recently moved to block a loan to India from the Asian Development Bank
