New Delhi overreaches to meddle in China’s core interests

[BanglaBhoot]

New Delhi has long held the Dalai Lama issue as leverage that it can use against China. Indian President Pranab Mukherjee met with the Tibetan separatist in exile in India this month, probably as moral support to Mongolia, which mired itself in diplomatic trouble after receiving the Dalai Lama in November. According to Indian media, the Dalai Lama was invited to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Indian Presidential Palace, on December 11, and participated in an event with the Indian President.

Mongolian Foreign Minister Tsend Munkh-Orgil said Tuesday that Mongolia will not allow the Dalai Lama to visit the country, even in the name of religion, thus settling a one-month standoff between Mongolia and China. But a long lingering issue behind it all is how India should handle its relationship with the Dalai Lama.

After China initiated countermeasures, including canceling investment talks and imposing additional tolls on Mongolian cargo passing through Chinese territory, the Mongolians later tried to seek support from India, hoping that by allying with China's competitor, Beijing would be forced to give in. New Delhi expressed its concerns about Mongolia's well-being, and vaguely pledged to put into effect a credit line of $1 billion it promised to Mongolia in 2015. However, before India's bureaucrats could start, Ulaanbaatar caved in to the reality.

India's way of dealing with the issue shows, once again, the gap between its ambition and its strength. It is way beyond India's capability to acquire leverage against China by employing a proxy or challenging China's bottom line. India has used the Dalai Lama card from time to time in a retaliatory move against China.

India should draw some lessons from the recent interactions between Beijing and US President-elect Donald Trump over Taiwan. After putting out feelers to test China's determination to protect its essential interests, Trump has met China's restrained but pertinent countermeasures, and must have understood that China's bottom line - sovereign integrity and national unity - is untouchable. Even the US would have to think twice before it messes with China on such sensitive problems, so what makes India so confident that it could manage?

Sometimes, India behaves like a spoiled kid, carried away by the lofty crown of being "the biggest democracy in the world." India has the potential to be a great nation, but the country's vision is shortsighted.

India wants to disturb China's pace of development by taking advantage of China's national and international problems, most of which have nothing to do with India's national interests.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1025055.shtml

 

[lonelyman]

Indians ask why we block nsg or masood, while they host China's enemy

 

[Hellraiser007]

Global times china ... aaaannnd the pathetic warnings continue.

 

[somebozo]

time to assassinate Mr Dilemma?

 

[progrank]

Indians ask why we block nsg or masood, while they host China's enemy

So Dalai Lama is a terrorist?

 

[PDFChamp]

India's way of dealing with the issue shows, once again, the gap between its ambition and its strength. It is way beyond India's capability to acquire leverage against China by employing a proxy or challenging China's bottom line.

Well put!

 

[Peshwa]

How is India needling China here?!!
Mongolia is an independent country and it asked India for help. India offered what little help it could as a friend. Why is this so bad?

As far as the Dalai Lama goes, we have offered him asylum. It is now our sworn duty to protect him as our guest and there is no two ways about it. As long as he isn't involved in anti-china activity in any way, he will continue to be our guest and be protected.
The Dalai Lama is not a trading chip for India to use in getting political mileage, so those suggesting that it is somehow comparable to the Masood Azhar situation have no clue about the importance India and Indians place on the Dalai Lama. He is revered in many parts of India and will continue to be so.

 

[faithfulguy]

How is India needling China here?!!
Mongolia is an independent country and it asked India for help. India offered what little help it could as a friend. Why is this so bad?

As far as the Dalai Lama goes, we have offered him asylum. It is now our sworn duty to protect him as our guest and there is no two ways about it. As long as he isn't involved in anti-china activity in any way, he will continue to be our guest and be protected.
The Dalai Lama is not a trading chip for India to use in getting political mileage, so those suggesting that it is somehow comparable to the Masood Azhar situation have no clue about the importance India and Indians place on the Dalai Lama. He is revered in many parts of India and will continue to be so.

If Dalai Lama support Pakistan over India in Kashmere issue, India will immediately kick him out. Dalai is just an Indian tool.

India does not punch above its weight. It brags above its weight.

 

[RPK]

If Dalai Lama support Pakistan over India in Kashmere issue, India will immediately kick him out. Dalai is just an Indian tool.

India does not punch above its weight. It brags above its weight.

Then you don't know nothing about India. In India lot more supporters for Kashmir then anywhere else.

 

[Jugger]

India has reached a stage in it's progress that what ever it says or does has regional and global repercussions.
India needs to play the political game of balance very well.
Never antagonize China so much that it turns full hostile. Balance has to be maintained so that India can gain from both USA and China.
I repeat China is not a threat but an opportunity if you play the political game correctly.

 

[Ajaxpaul]

Don't know why tibetians are a problem for chinese. They already annexed Tibet. So what seems the problem ?

 

[TISSOT]

India has reached a stage in it's progress that what ever it says or does has regional and global repercussions.
India needs to play the political game of balance very well.
Never antagonize China so much that it turns full hostile. Balance has to be maintained so that India can gain from both USA and China.
I repeat China is not a threat but an opportunity if you play the political game correctly.

ok.

Keep repeating.

Don't know why tibetians are a problem for chinese. They already annexed Tibet. So what seems the problem ?

They now want South China sea.

 

[Peshwa]

If Dalai Lama support Pakistan over India in Kashmere issue, India will immediately kick him out. Dalai is just an Indian tool.

India does not punch above its weight. It brags above its weight.

And China would strangle Pakistan if it questions China's claim over Tibet and SCS. It goes both ways..china wouldn't compromise on its core principles as won't India.
Besides why are you indulging in the hypothetical? Point is, Dalai Lama isn't currently and won't if he continues to seek asylum.
As long as DL isn't using his asylum to stir up anti-china activity, we will continue to host him.

As far as what you think India is capable of or not is irrelevant. India continues to protect its national interests and honor its commitments (w/ regards to DL) how it sees best. Don't think China or anyone else is capable of influencing that.

 

[endyashainin]

India tries to act tough, but it's really a weakling. As for Mongolia, it quickly learned its lesson.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/mongolia-dalai-lama-allowed-future-visits-44319702

Mongolia Says Dalai Lama Will Not Be Allowed Future Visits

The Associated Press
FILE - In this file photo taken Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, Dalai Lama, center, waves as he arrives at the Janraiseg temple of Gandantegchinlen monastery to greet Mongolian people in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Mongolia's foreign minister says the Dalai Lama will no longer be allowed to visit his country after a visit by the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader prompted protests from China and a suspension of talks on a major loan. (AP Photo/ Ganbat Namjilsangarav, File)more +
Mongolia will no longer allow the Dalai Lama to visit the country after a recent trip by the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader prompted protests from China and a suspension of talks on a major loan.

China's foreign ministry said Wednesday that Beijing "attached importance" to the remarks by Mongolia's top diplomat and hoped the country would "honor the commitment" it has made on the issue. Beijing accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking to split Tibet from China.

Mongolian Foreign Minister Tsend Munkh-Orgil expressed regret that the Dalai Lama's visit hurt ties with Beijing, Mongolia's powerful neighbor, in an interview with a local newspaper, Unuudur.

"You can understand that during the full term of this government, the Dalai Lama will not be allowed to visit Mongolia even for religious purposes," he reportedly said. His comments were confirmed by the ministry's press office Wednesday.

The foreign minister's pledge underscores the effectiveness with which China wields its economic leverage over countries it seeks to influence on issues ranging from the Dalai Lama's travels to diplomatic recognition of self-ruled Taiwan.

Mongolia's fragile economy is heavily dependent on China. The countries had been discussing a possible $4.2 billion loan by Beijing to deal with a recession.

But China delayed talks along with visits by Mongolia's deputy prime minister and a group of lawmakers in response to the Dalai Lama's visit.

Munkh-Orgil was quoted as saying that both sides were working to normalize relations and resume talks and that Mongolian lawmakers were able to visit China last week.

Following the visit, China also effectively choked a border crossing with the imposition of new fees and requirements on shipments through a major border point that caused significant delays. Almost 1,000 trucks carrying copper and coal pass through that point every day.

Mongolian Buddhism is closely tied to Tibet's strain and traditionally reveres the Dalai Lama. Mongolian religious figures had said the visit might have been the last for the 81-year-old spiritual leader, and some of his followers traveled hundreds of miles to see him while braving the coldest November temperatures in a decade.

The Dalai Lama has said his visit last month to the landlocked, primarily Buddhist, nation had no political purpose and that he had not publicly advocated independence for Tibet since 1974.

 

[third eye]

China in my opinion is needlessly fanning flames by raking up a storm on such visits & meetings.

If it were to ignore the Dalai Lama things would not get publicised.

It does not matter to the Dalai Lama or the world if he were not to go to Mongolia any more ( 81 years old) , Mongolia too is aware of the fact the even if he wanted to DL would not visit again.