Beijing: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been respectfully called ‘Modi Laoxian’ ie ‘Immortal Modi’ by Chinese netizens despite the India-China border dispute, a rare respectful reference for an international leader based on strategic affairs. magazine of The Diplomat. In the article – ‘How is India seen in China?’, Mu Chunshan, a journalist known for analyzing Chinese social media, especially Sina Weibo, (similar to Twitter in China) also said that most Chinese feel Let’s say that under the leadership of Modi, India should maintain balance among the major countries of the world. Sina Weibo has over 582 million active users.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has an unusual nickname on the Chinese Internet: Modi Laoxian. Laoxian refers to an elderly immortal with some strange abilities. The nickname means that Chinese netizens think Modi is different than other leaders, There are even more amazing ones,” he said.
Mu said they point to both his dress and physical appearance, which are seen as similar to Laoxian, and some of his policies, which differ from India’s previous policies.
On India’s relations with other major countries, he said, whether it is Russia, the United States, or countries of the Global South, India can enjoy friendly relations with all of them, which is “very commendable” for some Chinese citizens. Is.
Mu wrote, “So the word ‘laoxian’ reflects the Chinese people’s complex feeling towards Modi, which is a combination of curiosity, awe and perhaps cynicism.”
“I have been doing international media reporting for almost 20 years and it is rare for Chinese netizens to give a surname to a foreign leader. Modi’s surname stands above all else. Clearly, he has made a mark on Chinese public opinion,” he said. . Said.
Apart from hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and former premier Li Keqiang since coming to power in 2014, Modi also held two rare informal summits with the 69-year-old Xi in Wuhan and later in Mamallapuram near Chennai, leading both Expectations of improvement in relations between the countries grew. Two Asian giants.
Sino-India relations have been strained after aggressive military actions by the Chinese army in eastern Ladakh, violating agreements to resolve the border dispute, led to a nearly three-year-long military standoff.
To resolve the deadlock, 17 rounds of high-level military commanders’ talks have taken place between the two countries.
India says that relations with China cannot be normal until there is peace in the border areas.
Modi is also well known in China as he interacts with the Chinese public through his account on Sina Weibo, which he opened in 2015 and has over 24.4 million followers.
However, he left Weibo in July 2020 after the Indian government banned 59 Chinese apps to send ‘a strong message on the border, on the economic front and also on a personal level’, according to BJP general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh. ,
Mu states in his article that Chinese ideas about India are complex but generally based on a sense of superiority and self-confidence.
Significantly, he writes that Chinese netizens consider China’s attempt to use its ‘all-weather ally’, Pakistan, as ‘unrealistic’, as the gulf between the two South Asian neighbors widens. ‘widespread’, an apparent reference to the political and economic downturn. Pakistan is suffering at the moment.
“Facts over the past nine years have proved that there is more room for cooperation between China and India. For example, China’s trade with India is USD115 billion per year, which is far more than China’s trade with Pakistan. more, which works out to about US$30 billion.” Mu wrote.
“Of course, China has not forgotten Pakistan. But many Chinese netizens have a realistic view of the two South Asian neighbors. The argument is much calmer: the idea of using Pakistan to contain India is becoming more and more unrealistic.” because the gulf between Pakistan and India is widening,” he said.
He also writes about Chinese apprehension about India’s growing popularity with Western countries, especially the US and New Delhi’s handling of the Ukraine crisis without disrupting its close ties with Russia and the US.
“This is just one example of a widespread belief in China: India is the favorite of the West, while China has become the target of the West. How did India manage it? Why is India’s circle of international friends so large? Debated by Chinese netizens gone question
Most Chinese people feel a sense of superiority and self-confidence compared to India, and of course, most Chinese people do not want to see India too close to the United States, but they also think that China and India can still cooperate. Can It is said in the article.