| 20 June 2023
In anticipation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark state visit to the United States, China's state-owned media has launched a scathing attack on the US, accusing it of undermining China's economic progress and attempting to use India as a tool to counter China's rise. In an opinion piece published in The Global Times, China's top diplomat Wang Yi argued that the US's pursuit of closer economic and trade ties with India was driven by geopolitical calculations, but such efforts were doomed to fail.
Prime Minister Modi's upcoming state visit to the US marks his sixth visit to the country since assuming office in 2014. However, this visit carries significant weight as it is his first state visit to the US. According to the editorial piece in The Global Times, the Financial Times recently cautioned that the US's charm offensive towards India had raised concerns among Indian elites who fear that Washington aims to manipulate India into confronting China. The piece warned that the US's strategy to use India as a bulwark against China's growing influence would have repercussions.
Wang Yi, China's former Foreign Minister, highlighted the apparent US geopolitical calculations, claiming that Washington's eagerness to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with India primarily aimed to impede China's economic development. He argued that China's position in the global supply chain could not be replaced by India or any other economies. The piece further emphasized that despite increased investments by American companies in India, their reliance on China's supply chain remained undeniable, with notable examples like Apple. According to the article, India's trade with the US cannot supplant its trade with China, nor can it replace China's role in global supply chains.
The editorial piece asserted that if the US and India genuinely sought to enhance economic and trade cooperation, they should focus on resolving their own issues rather than targeting China. It accused the US of merely paying lip service to India while rarely delivering on its promises. The piece called on India to abandon geopolitical calculations, urging it not to succumb to joining the "reckless and selfish game" played by the US to contain China. Instead, it emphasized that fostering trade and economic cooperation with China was of great importance for India's future growth and development.
Interestingly, Wang Yi's critical article coincided with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's five-day trip to Beijing, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Qin Gang, and Wang Yi. The visit was seen as an attempt by the US to alleviate tensions and mend relations with China.
As Prime Minister Modi prepares for his state visit to the US, China's state-owned media has sought to paint a picture of the US as a manipulative actor attempting to hamper China's economic progress. The opinion piece by Wang Yi reinforces China's firm stance on its economic standing and warns India against becoming a pawn in the US's game. With tensions simmering between the US and China, the outcome of Prime Minister Modi's visit will undoubtedly be closely watched by global observers.
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