It is also said that in the 1980s and the 1990s, young Chinese had a fascination for going to Japan and the US for studies. Now, an increasing number would like to go to India for studies, but the difficulties in getting a visa discourage them.
One could also discern a note of disappointment over the lack of reciprocation by India to what is projected as a Chinese gesture in recognising Sikkim as an integral part of India. There is an expectation that India would reciprocate by conceding the Chinese claim to Arunachal Pradesh.
There is unease over reports of India joining the US, Australia and Japan in a so-called concert of democracies. Chinese public opinion continues to feel uncomfortable over Japan and India's alleged insensitivity to this discomfort is viewed with regret. But for these two issues -- Arunachal Pradesh and the so-called concert of democracies -- there are no major limits to an improvement in Sino-India relations, it is explained.
A puzzling question for the Chinese is: How can India put all its strategic policy eggs in the baskets of three sunset leaders, namely, President George Bush, who will be out next year, John Howard of Australia, who may be out by the end of this year, and Shinzo Abe of Japan (he is already out)?
A convergence of views and interests with these sunset leaders will be ephemeral and of uncertain benefit to India and its people, whereas any convergence with the Chinese leadership would be durable and of definite benefit to India and its people. So, it is said.
Image: Protestors shout anti-China slogans in New Delhi in July 2003. The demonstrators were protesting the Chinese government's refusal to recognise Arunachal Pradesh as part of India. Photograph: Prakash Singh/AFP/Getty Images
Also read: Robyn Meredith on the rise of India and China
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