This was one issue on which India and China made common cause – a meddlesome media. As the Asian giants marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their ties April 1, they united in slamming the media for what they called its tendentious reporting of bilateral issues.
Sharing the podium at a seminar at Sapru House, National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon and Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yan warned against shrill media commentaries that could potentially cloud bilateral ties.
“Neither India nor China can afford misperceptions or distortions of policy caused by a lack of understanding of each other’s compulsions and policy processes,” said Menon.
The Chinese envoy was on the same page.
“Public opinion is vitally important to the development of our relations. Two countries should provide correct guidance to the public opinion and avoid a war of words,” he said.
