I totally agree with your point.
I mean, historically, China and India once upon a time had a pretty good relationship in the 1950s.
China was not India threat at all, there are Himalayas mountains, there are Tibet make any invasion impossible.
It's the border dispute, and Nehru forward policy, and 1962 war make things differently. But that doesn't change the fact that Himalayas mountains make invasion impossible.
The west legacy, the cultural, language and economy influence shaped Indians mindset. I understand. Indian's inferior complex, worship of white race, and caste system are some of the reasons that Chinese were reluctant to treat Indian equally.
Indians see China as a threat, fine. That's the privilege of the nation with upper hand.
India can win Chinese respect as soon as they prove themselves.