Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s China visit, a state-run newspaper carried a highly critical article, accusing him of “playing little tricks” over the border dispute and security issues against China.

Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, published in the state-run Global Times, has called PM Modi “a pragmatist, rather than a visionary” in the article titled – Can Modi’s visit upgrade Sino-Indian ties?

Ever since Modi assumed office, he has taken the initiative to actively develop India’s relationships with Japan, the US, and European countries in no time, in order to promote the country’s poor infrastructure construction and economic development. But his diplomatic moves last year have proven that he is a pragmatist, rather than a visionary.
– Hu Zhiyong

Citing historical feud and mutual mistrust that stems from geopolitics, the article said the two sides have never established real strategic trust.

Modi has also been playing little tricks over border disputes and security issues, hoping to boost his domestic prestige while increasing his leverage in negotiations with China. The Indian government should stop supporting the Dalai Lama, and stop making the Tibetan issue a stumbling block to the Sino-Indian relationship.
– Hu Zhiyong