India, China coop on Myanmar can benefit border dispute:report

It will be a "wise move" for China by coordinating with India in the northern Myanmar peace talks, which could eliminate India's "mistrust" and benefit Sino-Indian talks over the vexed border issue, an article in an influential state-run daily here said today.
India has been actively mediating peace talks to end clashes in northern Myanmar recently, the article titled 'Myanmar needs help of both China and India' published in the Global Times said.
If India could play an important role in maintaining stability in Myanmar, it can encourage China to make more efforts in this field, and enhance mutual trust between China and India, it said.

"The negotiations over Sino-Indian border dispute are struggling forward, and the main factor that affects the process is the low-level of mutual trust.
"In this context, if the two countries could coordinate to make some progress in the northern Myanmar peace talks, mutual understanding between Beijing and New Delhi will be increased, which could benefit the negotiations over border disputes between the two," it said.
An enhanced relationship between India and Myanmar should not be regarded as a constraint on China-Myanmar relations, even if the Myanmar government is considering balancing China's influence, it said.

"We should have the self-confidence that small and medium-sized countries in Asia, such as Myanmar, need China in their development. China should learn to adapt to Asia, which is constantly looking for a new balance with the rise of China. For example, gradually eliminating India's mistrust about cooperating with China is a wise move," it said.

This is the second article in the daily calling for India-China cooperation to stabilise the neighbourhood.
Yesterday, an article by a Chinese think-tank said China should address India's concern over the "China threat" in Indian Ocean.
Coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit of the three Indian Ocean countries - Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, the article said: "If possible, China and India should conduct more strategic dialogues concerning regional security and economic development and ensure mutual trust".
"Modi should be prudent to avoid raising issues which could result in an 'India or China' dilemma.
"Similarly, China should address doubts about the motivations of China's foreign policy in the region, and particularly India's worries about the "China threat," it said.