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Commentary: An Irresponsible Argument
On May 31, the Indian Defense Ministry released an annual report, which said with ulterior motives: All major Indian cities are within China's missile range and, on this basis, it required that while India is establishing a "reliable, minimal nuclear deterrence", it should develop an accurate nuclear-weapon carrying system.
That same day, Indian Defense Minister Singh declared that the Indian government had formally approved the "raging flame" program for the development of a long-range missile system.
In recent years India has time and again tried it utmost to expand its military strength under the pretext of so-called China threat. In May 1998, the then Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes made a big fuss about the "theory of China threat", immediately thereafter India conducted five nuclear tests in a stretch. This move of India has not only shocked the international community in general, but has seriously backset the none too easily improved Sino-Indian relations. Currently, although Fernandes has stepped down, some people in the Indian Defense Ministry, however, are playing the old trick again. This line of action is not only unwise, but also irresponsible.
Thanks to the concerted efforts made by leaders of the two countries since 1999, Sino-Indian relations have gradually moved out of the depression and have advanced steadily forward. In particular, the China visit paid by Indian President K.R. Narayanan last year and the visit to India made by Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), this year have added new driving force to the continued development of Sino-Indian ties. A situation of peace and tranquillity has all along been maintained in the border regions of the two countries and substantial progress was made early this year in boundary negotiations between the two countries. It is well-known that China's development of nuclear weapons is entirely for self-defense, on the first day of its possession of nuclear weapons, China solemnly declared to the world that under no circumstance would China be the first to use nuclear weapons. Indian President Narayanan and the current Defense Minister Singh once both stressed that India and China would not constitute threat to each other. Now, some people in the Indian Defense Ministry suddenly agitate the argument about "China threat", this is really hard to understand.
China and India are neighbors, under today's world situation, steadily improving and developing bilateral relations fully conforms to the fundamental interests of the Chinese and Indian peoples. Certain people in the Indian Defense Ministry should not make irresponsible remarks and do things harmful to the relations between the two countries. Currently, the relationship between China and India is good, government departments and peoples of the two countries should cherish and treasure this hard-won situation.
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