CHINA-INDIA: ACCUSATION THAT INDIA IS ALWAYS WHINING

An article in the state-owned Global Times on October 12, 2017, alleged that "India seems to view whatever China does as suspicious and deem it a threat, like a victim of persecutory delusion". It referred to Brahma Chellaney's article criticising China for withholding hydrological data on upstream flows so as to pressure downstream countries, especially India. It said "Chellaney has more than once accused China of seeking hydrological hegemony in water-starved Asia" noting that "India's Ministry of External Affairs said it was "premature" to link the data-sharing with the floods in Assam". Saying "Indian media outlets in August linked the data denial with the Doklam standoff" it said "The Chinese foreign ministry later clarified that the flood-damaged hydrological stations in China could not collect data this year due to reconstruction". At the same time the Global Times article stated "On the other hand, there are no grounds for blame even if China withheld the data over the standoff. How can India expect bilateral cooperation to continue like normal when it infringes upon China's sovereignty?" It claimed also "The dams built by China along the Lancang River have prevented downstream countries from being hit by drought and floods. Countries like Vietnam and Cambodia have hence showed their gratitude toward China.  Yet when China built hydrological monitoring stations in cold, inhospitable mountainous areas to provide data for India, the response was yet more whining." 
In conclusion the article warned "it is crucial for countries to cooperate on cross-border issues. But if India goes with Chellaney's view despite all China's best efforts, it will undermine possible opportunities for improved bilateral cooperation and mutual trust. In which case India will be the only one to suffer".






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