The BRIC Summit started in New Delhi on Thursday. It went off well but there was a cloud over it for a while. Chinese President Hu Jintao was in the capital and proper security arrangements were made. But there was some trouble. Protesting Tibetan activists threatened to storm the hotel where Hu was staying. Peaceful demonstrations in a democracy are in the fitness of things. But that should not jeopardise the democratic process. There may be a lot to be said in favour of Tibetan refugees though Beijing claims that the Dalai Lama is behind the disaffection. India has always been pragmatic in its foreign policy and tries to maintain good neighbourly relations despite provocations from the other side. The economy is the thing and it is imperative that the partnership between India and China, two of the fastest growing economies, gives a vigorous incentive to the development of emerging third world countries.
It is necessary to stress the need for a balance of forces between the two Asian giants. Of course, it would have been too much to keep Tibetan protestors in detention and enforce extra vigilance for the Chinese President. It may also be galling that several Indian citizens from the Northeast were harassed on grounds of mere suspicion. People from the Northeast often complain that they are treated as foreignerson Indian soil. A mindless police force can make matters worse by unnecessarily muscling in. On the other hand, New Delhi should not be seen as being overanxious to placate Tibetan activists in India. There is no need to antagonise Beijing on flimsy grounds. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has already spoken of the keenness to introduce democratic governance in China on its own steam. India has no business to fancy itself as an exporter of democracy.