Beijing's Backlash: China's Global Times Criticizes Indian Media on Modi's Visit
China's Global Times has taken aim at Indian media over its coverage of PM Modi's Maldives visit, calling the perspective 'outdated'.
In a striking display of diplomatic friction, China’s state-backed Global Times has launched a verbal tirade against the Indian media’s portrayal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Maldives. Known for its fervent nationalist tone, the Global Times branded the Indian media’s narrative as an ‘outdated perspective,’ stirring a pot already simmering with regional rivalry.
Modi’s Historic Maldives Visit: What Really Happened?
Prime Minister Modi’s sojourn to the sunlit shores of the Maldives was hailed as a historic endeavor, both by Indian and Maldivian outlets. The two nations celebrated burgeoning ties, but beneath the surface, China’s media observed a narrative it found palpably adversarial. The President of the Maldives, Mohammed Muizzu, who had previously labeled India a bully, switched his stance, warmly welcoming Modi – a move that ruffled feathers in Beijing.
China’s Unyielding Critique: Qian Feng’s Perspective
In an assertive editorial, Global Times cited Qian Feng, a prominent researcher from China’s National Strategy Institute, asserting that Indian media’s lens is clouded by an antiquated geopolitical mindset. The piece elaborated that the Maldives maintains a sovereign freedom in choosing its diplomatic relationships, emphasizing its strategic alignment with both India and China.
Geopolitical Chessboard: Maldives’ Strategic Dynamics
The Maldives, a critical node in the Indian Ocean, has found itself at the heart of an intricate geopolitical chessboard. While it has engaged in economic pacts like the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement, observers suggest these accords could dangerously tip the balance, increasing Maldivian dependence on China, especially as it already shoulders substantial Chinese debt.
Rhetoric Not Reality: Maldives’ Diplomatic Shift
Interestingly, the Maldives’ rhetoric showcased a pivot towards India in the face of a looming fiscal strain, hoping for Beijing’s rescue that never fully materialized. This U-turn saw Maldives seeking camaraderie with New Delhi, courting assistance and economic relief from its neighbor.
The Bigger Picture: Evolving Strategic Narratives
As stated in The Week, the Global Times’ disapproval reflects deeper insecurities in Beijing regarding its influence over the strategic avenue of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives, though a small island nation, emerges as a crucible of larger geopolitical contests between rising Asian giants, where the lines of allegiance might still dance to the ever-changing tune of regional dynamics.
