Not Just A Greedy Ally, China Is Now An Equal Partner In Pakistan’s Jihad Against India 

Having blocked India's bid to get Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist by the United Nations twice in a row, China hit a new low today by accusing India of pursuing “political gains in the name of counter-terrorism”.

"There should be no double standards on counter-terrorism. Nor should one pursue own political gains in the name of counter-terrorism," said China's Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong at a press briefing today.

The statement comes ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India this week for the BRICS Summit scheduled to be held October 15-16 in Goa. The summit is an annual diplomatic meeting of the BRICS nations, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Beijing has, time and again, sided with Pakistan on various issues that are critical to India’s national security. It may not be long before China abandons this policy due to the isolation of Pakistan on the world stage and its image as a sponsor of terror. If it however chooses not to, its relations with India are bound to hit a dead end – a position that is instrumental in a country’s decision to use asymmetric warfare against a nation that it can’t deal with conventionally.

China is certainly rattled by India’s growing stature on the world stage. India’s growing closeness with China’s traditional rivals – the United States, Japan and Vietnam – has also left Beijing worried. For now, India has no other low-cost option but to wait for the end of the three-month technical hold, after which China will have to review its decision.