In a recent development, Bharat Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted China’s acknowledgment of Bharat as an “economic and strategic power.” Singh referred to an article in the Chinese government publication, Global Times, which praised Bharat’s rising global stature. During a reception in London, Singh stated, “No one can scare us and get away with it,” emphasizing Bharat’s resilience and strength on the global stage.
The article, titled ‘What I feel about the Bharat Narrative in India,’ written by Zhang Jiadong, the director of the Centre for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, predicts that Bharat will become the top country in terms of economic ranking by 2075-2080. Singh shared this projection with over 200 persons of Indian origin, emphasizing the rapid pace of Bharat’s growth.
Singh highlighted the significance of the article, quoting, “Even the Chinese government has been forced to accept that India today is an economic and strategic power.” Despite the perception of strained India-China relations, Singh expressed Bharat’s desire for good relations with all countries. He noted a shift in China’s perception of Bharat, particularly after the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, stating, “We are a rising global power.”
The Defence Minister attributed this shift to the courage exhibited by Indian soldiers during the standoff with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley. Singh asserted that India is no longer viewed as a weak country globally, emphasizing that “No one can scare us and get away with it.”
Singh also highlighted changes in the dynamics of trade relations between India and China. Previously, India would rely on Beijing to address trade imbalances, but Singh noted that this trend is no longer prevalent. The Defence Minister’s remarks were summarized by the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, during the community reception attended by Indian military ex-servicemen and family members of World War II veterans.
The article by Zhang Jiadong, published on January 2, acknowledged Bharat’s achievements in the last four years, including economic growth, improvements in urban governance, and a positive shift in international relations, particularly with China. The article also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s multi-alignment strategy in relations with the US, Japan, and Russia. Bharat’s growing global influence is gaining recognition, with even China acknowledging its economic and strategic prowess.
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