This refers to the article, “‘One country’ which has not been nice”, (June 30) by Claude Arpi. At a time when China has been nasty and inimical to India's interests vis-a-vis its membership to the Nuclear Supplier Group, the author has rightly contrasted China's ingratitude and lack of reciprocity against India's unilateralism in safeguarding China's interests. The article recalls how Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, overlooking India's interests, rejected the Soviet and the US initiative to make India a permanent member of the Security Council in place of the Nationalist China; he wanted communist China to get that seat.
Subsequently, in another blind, blunderous and over enthusiastic policy of Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai, Nehru shut his eyes to China's aggressive and expansionist attitude which resulted in its invasion of Arunachal Pradesh, in 1962. The current relationship is weighed against us. But, sadly, we are soft. Merely looking into the eyes of a cunning neighbour will not do. China must be made aware that its hostile acts will be met with equally firm.