Mihir S Sharma's column "Not so frank, after all" (Ticker, May 25) is a pungent, but realistic, assessment of Indo-China issues. To cover its inefficiency in dealing with China, our government has been underplaying the gravity of the situation. A 19-kilometre-deep inroad into Indian territory just ahead of the Chinese premier's visit cannot be called a "localised" matter. As for the assumption that trade interests will induce China to be more friendly, it is worth recalling that India ranks quite low in China's global trade. In 2012, China's total trade with India was $66 billion; it was $546 billion with European Union nations, and the US ran a deficit of $315 billion with it.
Also, China's close relationship with Pakistan will become stronger - and at the cost of India. Keeping the India-Pakistan border on the boil and Kashmir issue alive serves China well in tying down India in the region. Finally, China's co-operation with India will always be limited by the former's perception of India as a rival who should never be allowed any competitive advantage. Therefore, the government must not lower its guard and should follow the dictum, "Trust, but verify".
Y G Chouksey, Pune
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