In a second salvo within a fortnight against the India-United States civilian nuclear deal, a leading official Chinese newspaper has accused New Delhi of seeking 'big power' status with Washington's backing and even stretching its 'tentacles' outside Asia.

'The US-Indian nuclear agreement has strong symbolic significance for India in achieving its dream of a powerful nation,' the People's Daily, the official mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party of China, said in a commentary.

'As a big country with rapid economic growth, India is keen on gaining greater influence in international affairs and playing a decisive role in the international arena. At this point, maybe it is not an exaggeration to say that the India-US civilian nuclear energy agreement actually demonstrates its dream to become a big power,' the commentary, second since August 17, says.

'In addition, the United States has explicitly proposed in the agreement that it would not hamper or intervene in the development of India's military nuclear plan, which will also help the country achieve its goals to be a nuclear power,' it notes with concern.

'In fact, the purpose of the United States to sign civilian nuclear energy cooperation agreement with India is to enclose India into its global partners' camp, so as to balance the forces of Asia. This fits in exactly with India's wishes,' the paper said.

'Since India declared independence in 1947, it has always been determined to become a big power,' it said while noting that although there are still people questioning the possibility, India did make 'good achievement' in the following 60 years.

The comments in the official media came just three days after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stated that China sought friendly ties with India and did not consider New Delhi's rise as a threat.

"We wish the Indian people happiness and India prosperity. We also wish continued progress in the friendly relations and cooperation between China and India. Both Prime Minister Singh and I repeated on many occasions that China's development and India's development are each others opportunity rather than a threat," Wen had said in an
interview to PTI in Beijing [Images].

The People's Daily commentary also noted that India has been reaching out to the international community, especially in East Asia, traditionally considered China's backyard.

'In recent years, it introduced and implemented a 'Look-East' policy and joined most regional organisations in the East Asian region. India also sought to stretch its tentacles outside Asia and even actively chased after strategic cooperation some African countries.'

At the same time, the commentary noted that for more than a month after the US House of Representatives passed the agreement between the United States and India on civilian nuclear energy cooperation by an overwhelming majority on July 26, it has suffered constant setbacks.

At first, it created 'friction' between India and Pakistan and then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's [Images] claim on India's right to conduct nuclear tests in future and the warning from the United States that if New Delhi conducted nuclear tests, it will terminate the implementation of its agreement with India on civilian nuclear energy cooperation, the commentary noted.

The commentary took note that even as the 'Leftist forces' wanted the government to stop 'promoting' the Indo-US nuclear deal, Singh has asserted that he would not do so even if the Left-wing threatens to 'topple' the government.

The commentary also came to the conclusion that despite the hiccups, with the majority of the Indian public supporting the nuclear deal, India and the United States will continue to move ahead with the implementation of the agreement.

Analysts believe that although the Leftists were worried that the agreement will deprive India of independence in its foreign policy and Singh's government will encounter some resistance in promoting nuclear cooperation between India and the United States, the two will continue to advance the agreement.

In the end, the commentary acknowledges that India is energy deficient and the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal will help India greatly to ease the power shortage and provide guarantee to a steady economic development.

'As a matter of fact, India is extremely short of energy. Electricity shortage has been a big problem that has plagued people's normal life and sustainable economic development,' noted.