A commentary in the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper this weekend called on India to cooperate more with its neighbours “instead of being hostile to them,” suggesting that India's rising military expenditure reflected its growing regional “strategic ambitions.”
The article published on the People's Daily 's website, whose author was identified as Zi Mo, pointed to the development of the 5,000 km-range Agni-V, expected to be unveiled in February 2012, as showing India's “intention of seeking regional balance of power.”
While Indian military officials had said India's weapons would not pose a threat to any country, the newspaper said claims from other officials and scientists suggested that the development of the missile was aimed at China, whose cities would fall within its range.
The paper pointed to India's rising military spending — which is, however, only a little more than one-third that of China's, according to estimates — as evidence of Indian strategic ambitions.
Indian goal
“It is the Indian goal to continue to strengthen the military and possess a military clout that matches its status as a major power,” the article said. “However, how many missiles is enough is a question for all governments in the missile era.”
India was beginning “to get close to America” following Washington's growing strategic focus on the Asia-Pacific, but “thinking this move will contain its imaginary enemy would be naive.”
“India should cooperate with the neighbouring countries instead of being hostile to them and should reduce its own ‘persecution mania' to play a role on the world stage in the future,” the article said.
“There is no real winner in wars and peace opportunities must not be wasted. This is the wise judgment.”
