After 123 bump, China trying to mend fences

[Contrarian]

After 123 bump, China trying to mend fences


NEW DELHI: China has started to reach out to India countering mounting popular opinion against a perceived Beijing-inspired Communist opposition to the nuclear deal.

A prominent indication of the approach comes in the form of a commentary in China's official People's Daily which has, remarkably, avoided venting standard paranoia about the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Instead, it takes a much more realistic and mature position, saying the deal would go through because most Indians supported it.

"United States has explicitly proposed in the agreement that it would not hamper or intervene in the development of India's military nuclear plan, which will also help the country achieve its goals to be a nuclear power." It's a far cry from the Left parties' opposition to the deal.

The conciliatory approach appears to have been prompted by the support in India for the nuclear deal which has the potential of transforming the country's ties with the US.

In fact, People's Daily acknowledges the popular backing for the deal by mentioning the findings of a poll in The Times of India which indicated "that 93% of the Indian people support the agreement." The Chinese daily further says: "Therefore, analysts believe that although the Leftists worry that the agreement will deprive India of independence in its foreign policy and Singh's government will encounter some resistance in promoting nuclear cooperation between India and the United States, the two will continue to advance the agreement."

Also, despite China's reservations, People's Daily concedes two things - first, that the "the agreement does boost India's nuclear energy development," and second, that it "has strong symbolic significance for India in achieving its dream of a powerful nation."

But, importantly, while the Chinese daily says that "the purpose of the US to sign the civilian nuclear energy cooperation agreement with India is to enclose India into its global partners' camp, so as to balance the forces of Asia," it also acknowledges that "This fits in exactly with India's wishes." It's clear that Beijing has reacted with concern to the view that Left's opposition to the deal might see China's image become a casualty.

Analysts say this is certainly not in China's interest, not at a time when both countries are preparing for a Manmohan Singh visit later this year.

In fact, Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, in an interview to an Indian news agency, was clear that friendship was the "mainstream of China-India relations."

"We wish the Indian people happiness and India prosperity. We also wish continued progress in the friendly relations and cooperation between China and India," he said. "Both Prime Minister Singh and I repeated on many occasions that China's development and India's development are each other's opportunity rather than a threat."

China has also harped on the non-proliferation tune in its response to the nuclear deal. Talking to women journalists in Delhi, Chinese ambassador to India, Sun Yuxi, struck a conciliatory tone as he said, "Non-proliferation is important. If that is strengthened, that is good. Whether the deal does that needs to be seen."

This is a safe line - it's the same line which Japan, or the Scandinavian countries use. Of course, given China's own record on proliferation, Indians find it a trifle difficult to swallow Beijing's concerns on this score.

After 123 bump, China trying to mend fences-India-The Times of India

 

[Contrarian]

China not to be 'dogmatic' on nuke issue


BEIJING: China will not adopt a "dogmatic" stand on the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement and jeopardise Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's planned visit to Beijing later this year, Chinese scholars said on Sunday.

Commenting on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's earlier statement as well as Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi's latest remarks on the Indo-US nuclear deal, former Chinese Ambassador to India and Myanmar, Cheng Ruisheng, said it clearly showed that Beijing would not adopt a "dogmatic" stance on the India-US nuclear issue.

"It is my personal view that China will adopt a flexible attitude," Cheng, also a member of the India-China Eminent Persons Group (EPG) said.

Meeting with the EPG delegation here on Friday, Yang said that China is willing to "explore cooperation with all countries for the peaceful use of nuclear energy in accordance with the rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."

"Though it is a very general statement, it is a positive comment," Cheng said.

Earlier, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that it was willing to undertake "creative thinking" on the Indo-US civilian nuclear issue, which Cheng said also indicated that China will be flexible on the topic when it comes up at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

China not to be 'dogmatic' on nuke issue-China-World-The Times of India

 

[Bushroda]

I said before, there isn't much that China can do to stop the deal. In 1997, we did not even raise mur-murs when China got its nuclear deal.

 

[Neo]

China notes ‘differences’ on India-US nuclear deal​

* Foreign ministry says any nuclear cooperation should serve to ‘protect’ non-proliferation

BEIJING: China said on Thursday there were “different views” about a nuclear power pact between the United States and India and called for such deals to stay in line with international safeguards - but left its own stance ambiguous.

The agreement between New Delhi and Washington would offer India US fuel and reactors while allowing it to stay out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, keep nuclear arms and protect its military atomic complex from international inspections. Even if the agreement survives opposition from Indian leftists, China’s veto could kill it at an international level.

Indian newspapers have suggested that Beijing could block the deal at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a 45-nation club that works by consensus. Washington will need to go to the NSG, which is supposed to discourage nuclear trade with countries outside full safeguards, to ask for special leeway for India. Noting various opinions on the deal in the NSG, China’s Foreign Ministry suggested that Washington and New Delhi should address worries that it would damage safeguards against the spread of nuclear weapons.

“We have also noted that within the Nuclear Suppliers Group there are different views about relaxing the restrictions on nuclear exports to India,” ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular news briefing. “China believes that, with the precondition of abiding by their international responsibilities, all countries can develop cooperation in the peaceful exploitation of nuclear power.”

Leftist Indian parties have demanded that New Delhi put on hold talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to secure a safeguards pact needed to clinch the deal. Jiang said any international atomic power cooperation should serve to “protect and strengthen” barriers against the spread of nuclear arms.

She refused to say whether China itself had concerns about the deal. Some Scandinavian countries have privately expressed concerns about making exceptions for India. Jiang’s comments appeared to be China’s latest step in a delicate diplomatic game of signalling concerns about the deal without sparking a stand-off with India.

Experts have said China is unlikely to stymie the nuclear deal and risk pushing Delhi closer to Washington - just when Beijing is seeking to avoid a destabilising confrontation with its rising Asian neighbour and longtime rival. But many have also said that Beijing worries about how the deal will affect regional security and arms controls.

India conducted nuclear test blasts in 1998 during tense rivalry with Pakistan, which also tested then. Both countries refuse to abandon their nuclear shield and join the Non-Proliferation Treaty. China and India have been trying to expand diplomatic and trade ties after decades of rivalry that included a brief war over disputed territory in 1962. reuters

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Bushroda]

China notes ‘differences’ on India-US nuclear deal​

Even if the agreement survives opposition from Indian leftists, China’s veto could kill it at an international level.

How can China Veto and kill a bilateral teaty between two nations?

Indian newspapers have suggested that Beijing could block the deal at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a 45-nation club that works by consensus.

I've said it before that NSG is a voluntary regime. There is absolutely no boundation on any member to have an individual nuclear trade with a non-member outside the sphere of NSG. China has done it with Pakistan and Russia with India even though there wasn't any "consensus" evolved.

China's attempt to block the deal could also lead to its marginalisation within NSG.