China’s latest outburst over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s customary birthday greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama isn’t just diplomatically juvenile—it’s a laughable exercise in hypocrisy. For decades, Beijing has ritualistically objected to this simple gesture, crying “interference” in its internal affairs. But the reality is: The Dalai Lama is not a political pawn. He is a global spiritual icon revered across cultures and continents. India’s greeting is not a diplomatic affront—it is a matter of dignity and decency. Beijing’s periodic meltdowns over the Dalai Lama betray a deeper anxiety—not just about Tibet, but about India’s rising global stature. China’s latest protest has less to do with Lhasa and more to do with New Delhi’s trajectory. While China struggles with economic stagnation, demographic decline, and growing global mistrust, India is powering ahead—economically, diplomatically, and militarily. That’s what truly unnerves the Chinese Communist Party. The numbers speak for themselves. India, despite global headwinds, continues to grow at rates Beijing hasn’t seen in recent quarters. While China wrestles with a property crisis, shrinking workforce, and capital flight, India is attracting global investment, expanding its manufacturing footprint, and leading new digital partnerships with the West. This economic divergence is fuelling Beijing’s frustration—and it’s beginning to show. Desperate to shift focus, China has turned to absurd propaganda. Its latest fabrication? India lost four French-made Rafale jets in a recent four-day skirmish. No credible source—domestic or international—has confirmed any such loss. But facts have never stood in the way of Beijing’s disinformation playbook. If a lie can needle India, China is happy to peddle it. This claim isn’t just baseless—it’s a textbook case of psychological warfare. The Rafale, one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets, has significantly tilted the regional aerial balance in India’s favour. That edge, coupled with India’s growing missile and air defence capabilities—including the BrahMos, Akash (both home-grown), and S-400 systems, acquired from its most trusted ally, Russia—has clearly unsettled the China-Pakistan-Turkey axis.
The real pain point for Beijing? India’s accelerating military self-reliance. For decades, China propped up Pakistan as a strategic thorn in India’s side. But those days are fading. The weaponry pumped into Islamabad—drones, missiles, and fighter jets—has failed to deter India’s assertiveness. In the recent conflict, not only did India repel aggression, but it also forced Pakistan to sue for a ceasefire after its military positions were decimated. Prime Minister Modi’s message was unambiguous: India agreed to de-escalate, but with a caveat. Any future adventurism will be treated as an act of war and met with an iron fist. He also made it clear that Operation Sindoor, India’s precision retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre that claimed 26 innocent tourists, is far from over. As New Delhi put it, that was merely “a trailer.” If Pakistan wishes to prolong the conflict, it must be prepared to face existential consequences. And while India buys weapons, it is increasingly building them. From jet engines to advanced drones and naval assets, India’s defence manufacturing is no longer aspirational—it’s operational. China’s serial provocations—be it over the Dalai Lama or imaginary Rafale shootdowns—are a coping mechanism. The truth is hard to swallow: India is no longer a balancing force in Asia. It is the axis. It is setting terms. And global powers—from Washington to Paris to Tokyo—are taking note. Beijing’s problem isn’t Indian diplomacy. It’s Indian confidence. And that, the CCP cannot digest. It is therefore crucial for India to not merely dismiss these provocations, but to actively counter China’s narrative war. From Tibet to Arunachal to phantom dogfights, China’s lies are designed to chip away at India’s credibility. The answer isn’t outrage—it is a combination of facts, strategic messaging, and forward momentum. Ultimately, no amount of tantrums or fake news can obscure what is evident to the world: India is rising. And China is rattled. From the Dalai Lama to Rafales, Beijing’s bluster reeks of insecurity. Let them sulk. India will soar—if not roar.
