China's official media slams India's 'myopia' over OBOR

China's official news agency on Sunday slammed India's "strategic myopia" and "suspicions" towards China over staying away from the "One Belt, One Road" (OBOR) project.

The commentary, published by the official Xinhua news agency amid an on-going propaganda barrage from China over the border standoff near the India-China-Bhutan trijunction, did not mention the boundary situation.

It, however, said that "concerns over a rising China have, to some extent, spiraled into a kind of 'strategic anxiety' regarding the country among some Indian politicians."

"Their misleading, unfounded 'China-phobia', however, might lead to strategic myopia and hurt India's own interests," it said.

Xinhua referred to India not attending the May 14 Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing, with Delhi opposed to OBOR in part because of the flagship China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

"The reason raised by India may be understandable, but staying away from the initiative is not the best choice New Delhi could have made," said the Xinhua commentary.

"It could have voiced its concerns and opinions on public occasions or in official statements as China is always willing to discuss all problems and possibilities with India on the basis of mutual benefits."

INDIA NOT CONSULTED ON CPEC

India, however, says Beijing chose not to discuss any aspects of the CPEC since its 2013 unveiling with Delhi, even though it passes through Indian territory. India was also not consulted on CPEC becoming a "flagship" of OBOR, which all but closed the door to India's joining.

Xinhua, however, said that OBOR "has no connection with or impact on sovereignty issues." "Though proposed by China, the Belt and Road is not a 'Chinese project.' It is a multilateral initiative, with win-win results at its core. The opportunity will not only help the two nations build political trust and boost their economic growth, but also reduce the risks of instability worldwide."

"India, due to its geographical location and the size of its economy, could potentially be the biggest recipient of Chinese investment from the initiative to boost trade by building infrastructure linking Asia with Europe, the Middle East and Africa," it added.

"While bearing in mind its sovereignty concerns, the Indian government should also have a holistic perspective and see the bigger picture: the initiative will benefit South Asian countries, including India, in the long run, and it is in India's own vital and long-term national interests to join the initiative and become an important player in it."

The commentary said India needed "to get over its 'China anxiety' and carefully assess the initiative".

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