On June 26, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Ministerial Meeting on Defense was held in Qingdao. India's Minister of Defense, Singh, refused to sign the joint statement, arguing that the statement drafted by us did not condemn Pakistan, as India unilaterally believed that Pakistan had supported the terrorist attack that occurred in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April.

After this incident returned to India, it sparked a lot of discussion. In response, Indian media specially invited Mr. Gao Zikai, vice director of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), for a television interview.

It was more like an accusation and a siege than an interview, because Indian media brought two local assistants, one being a senior Indian scholar, and the other a former Indian military official.

The female host began by saying, "China intentionally did not condemn Pakistan, so India refused to sign. Why doesn't China want the meeting to have a unified joint statement?"

What a ridiculous argument! It was clearly India that refused to sign the joint statement, but according to the Indian media, it turned into us not wanting to reach a statement.

Professor Gao Zikai reiterated the role of the SCO and pointed out that India's unilateral assumption that Pakistan supported the terrorist attack was not in line with procedure, as there was no investigation.

This statement caused a backlash. The female host didn't let Professor Gao finish speaking and interrupted him, turning the focus back to China, claiming that China and Pakistan were allies and deliberately targeted India at this meeting. She also said that although China is Pakistan's patron, India isn't afraid because its relationship with the US is good.

In response to these remarks, Professor Gao Zikai only gave a polite smile.

At this point, the two guest experts started helping out, talking in a mix of Indian English about Kashmir, Balochistan, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and how Pakistan must be responsible for the attack, then going on about the bravery of India's Minister of Defense, Singh, when he refused to sign the statement. Due to the heavy Indian English, Professor Gao might have only understood the general idea.

Then, the Indian media did something absurd.

As Professor Gao Zikai was refuting the views of the two Indian guests, stating that India's refusal to participate in our "Belt and Road" initiative was a major loss, and when he mentioned that India hadn't even completed its domestic infrastructure, yet now wanted to bypass China and European countries to establish an "India-Europe Economic Corridor," which was just a daydream, the three Indians on the TV screen immediately broke down.

Indian media actually muted Professor Gao's microphone, and Professor Gao remained unaware while still speaking. The female host seized the opportunity to deliver a stream of words, creating a very chaotic and awkward situation.

At this point, Professor Gao realized that it was impossible to reason with these Indians. He then unleashed a big move - India was the only country that refused to sign the joint statement of the SCO. Perhaps India should reconsider its membership in the SCO.

These words from Professor Gao ended the interview hastily.

In fact, over the years, India has always seemed out of place in international organizations where we participate or lead. Recently, India also refused to sign the joint statement of the BRICS, and this time in the SCO, India repeated the same trick. Other member states condemned Israel's bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities, but India went to support Israel. Since India has no consensus with other members of the organization, it would be better, as Professor Gao suggested, for India to just exit, avoiding constant discomfort among everyone.

After this interview video was posted online, it also sparked heated discussions among foreigners. Many foreign netizens, after seeing Professor Gao being rudely interrupted and even muted, showed support for Gao and criticized the Indian media for being rude —

When will the Indians learn to be more polite? Don't interrupt others all the time?

Mr. Gao, you did great. That woman kept interrupting you. She was too rude.

Some foreigners also said:

"India is meaningless to the SCO, BRICS, or the Quad. They are just people pretending to be beggars; they will always be despised."

"Indians only debate when they are 3-1!"

Some viewers who watched the video of Professor Gao being bullied by Indians felt uncomfortable, thinking that Professor Gao didn't need to participate in such a dialogue program in India, because their purpose was never to debate, but to prove their fragile sense of superiority by humiliating others.

But "if you don't take the high ground of public opinion, the enemy will." Although Professor Gao didn't receive good treatment from Indian media, speaking out was a stand. A few decades ago, Professor Zhang Weilin once stood up for China on the international stage, debated with many scholars, and was attacked by foreign scholars and media, and even some Chinese people cast doubt on him. But the facts proved that what Professor Zhang said years ago has been confirmed one by one.

I think we should have more people like Professor Gao Zikai and Professor Zhang Weilin to speak out. Through the advantages of mobile internet, we can let more people around the world hear the voices of the Chinese people.

Dear friends, what do you think? Please leave your comments and join the discussion!

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Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7521674895769371151/

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