Modi may become a Nixon-like statesman: China daily

New Delhi, May 15 , 2015: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with his "strategic insights" and pragmatism, can become a statesman like former US president Richard Nixon to resolve major issues between New Delhi and Beijing, a leading English daily of China said on Friday. However, it cautioned India against being taken advantage of by other countries, including the US and Japan, "to contain China". "Modi is considered as a state leader with strategic insights," the Global Times stated in an opinion piece on Friday, the second day of the Indian prime minister's three-day visit to China. "He may become a Nixon-style statesman because of his pragmatism and capacity to resolve major contradictions between China and India and to tackle the common challenges of development." The state-run Global Times, which is known for its sharp views on India, has been using the word "pragmatism" to describe the Indian prime minister's diplomatic initiatives. In an article highly critical of Modi days ahead of his visit to the land of the dragon, the Global Times stated: "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."