This refers to Rahul Jacob's column "If the Chinese invest" (Caveat India, October 3). The relationship between India and China has always been built on mutual suspicion ever since the 1962 war. Their diplomatic manoeuvring with us always needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Tourism and cultural exchanges apart, their frequent intrusions into Indian territory and the dispute over Tibet overshadow the desired mutual economic co-operation between the two countries. Chinese investment in our infrastructure may be economically fruitful, but politically harmful.
India agreeing to China's contribution to infrastructural development, especially in the railways, should be treated with caution. If China deploys its manpower to promote investment in our economy, it may succeed in making inroads into Indian territory, and study the strengths and weaknesses of our policies. On the other hand, our geographical proximity with African nations and open policies in international trade ensure that trade exchanges with African nations are based on mutual trust.
C Gopinath Nair, Bangalore
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