Has Delhi Managed To Distance Itself From Beijing In Trying To Be Closer To Washington?

Like any other move by the Modi Government in the last two years, the NSG bid has had its own share of issues and criticisms. There have been many who have praised the government's bid to get into the elite group, but the critics of Modi Government have not minced their words in criticizing the way they have gone about with the whole process. People both in and outside the BJP have come out and criticized the way we tried to approach the whole process.

Yashwant Sinha, a senior BJP leader, said that there is no need to go as an applicant for the prestigious Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) as India would still end up being a "loser" even if it was accepted. Kapil Sibal also did not lose the opportunity of taking a dig into the Modi government. The Congress Spokesperson said that our Prime Minister has no knowledge of foreign diplomacy. As per him, it is not a Sound & Light show and it should be done with a sense of maturity. Instead of conducting the whole activity in a silent and sober manner we went on blowing our horns from the beginning.

Looking at these arguments, I feel that more than being worried about the so called failure or setback of not being able to join NSG our esteemed politicians are worried about our diplomatic relationship with our neighbors, especially China. It seems that in a bid to get closer to Washington, Delhi is making a big mistake of distancing itself from Beijing. And whole issue is revolving around the fear of Delhi distancing itself from Beijing and making the so called "Big Brother" angry.

What are we actually worried about? Are we worried about going on war with China or about a cold war with China? History tells us that our steps in befriending China did not stop it from attacking us in 1962. Pt. Nehru thought that our historic "Panchsheel" agreement will create an environment which will mutually benefit both India and China. As per the agreement, which is based upon five principles of peaceful Co-Existence, there should be an Increase Trade and Intercourse between the Tibet region of China and India. But still China went ahead and attacked India. We were neither mentally nor physically ready for the war and the results are well known to us. I am not going to dwell in the reasons for the war and the aftermath of it.

In the interview with the Times Now's Editor-In- Chief Arnab Goswami, our prime minister mentioned a very interesting point and I would like to mention it here. He said that, gone are the days when the whole world was Bi-Polar and revolved around two powerful countries. We do not need to side with one so called powerful country to stay afloat. Times have changed and the world has opened up considerably. World is more multi-polar and we need to keep a level of friendship with all the countries, irrespective of its size and stature.

Now if we take this point in the context of NSG membership. There are around 48 countries which are the members of this elite club, including China. But very recently we got entry into MTCR which has around 34 members and with Inclusion of India the count is now 35. China has been trying to get MTCR membership since 2004, but has not been successful in its efforts. There are many countries which are a part of both NSG and MTCR and with their help Delhi can put diplomatic pressure on Beijing to make way for its inclusion. Another point is that both groups being consensus group it is important for all the members of the group to have consensus for a new country to join the group. So Delhi can propose helping Beijing entering into MTCR if in return they remove the roadblocks for Delhi. Let me be very clear here that this is my thought and is not been quoted from any official sources. But this is a diplomatic action which Delhi might adopt.

As far as trade is concerned Beijing is equally dependent on Delhi, if not more, for its manufacturing industry to prevail. And with make in India the onus is in Beijing to make sure that their manufacturing unit does not get hit badly. Yes, make in India is still in its early stages and it will take some time for it to really overhaul Made in China but having said that make in India surely would be giving the think tanks of Beijing sleepless nights.