Hindu nationalism pushing India into war with China: Global Times

India’s China policy has been hijacked by rising Hindu nationalism—which has been fuelled by election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said China’s Global Times on Thursday, and warned that “it will put India’s own interest in jeopardy if India lets religious nationalism push the two countries into war.”

Blaming India for the month-long military stand-off near Sikkim border, the article: Hindu nationalism risks pushing India into war with China, published by the tabloid said that India is “weaker than China in national strength” but Indian politicians have failed to grasp the reality.

Claiming that Sikkim stand-off caters to the demand of India’s religious nationalists, the article in the state backed tabloid further explained that Modi took advantage of rising Hindu nationalism to come to power and his election has further fuelled the country’s nationalist sentiments.

It also accused PM Modi of his “failure” to curb violent incidents against Muslims and forewarned Modi government that “it could do nothing if religious nationalism becomes extreme.”

The analysis further said that India harbors “deep strategic suspicion” towards China and considers China as a rival and a potential enemy since India's defeat in the Sino-Indian War of 1962. “The war inflicted lingering pain on India and it became a hard knot to untie, leading to an ingrained suspicion of Chinese strategy. China’s development is seen as a misfortune to India. The faster China grows, the more fearful they are,” writes Yu Ning in the article, adding that “nationalist fervor that demands revenge against China has taken root in India since the border war.”

“Where the China-India competition goes hinges on each side's strength and wisdom...India should be careful and not let religious nationalism push the two countries into war,” the analysis read.

It also stated that “Despite China’s goodwill in inviting India to join the Belt and Road initiative, India insists on interpreting the project as a part of China’s strategic containment and encirclement of it.”

India, however, has raised “territorial sovereignty” concerns with China, maintaining that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through its territory.