Ahead of the slated visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's to Japan, a state-controlled Chinese tabloid warned on Wednesday that New Delhi will make a serious mistake if it aligns with Japan on the South China Sea issue.

The Global Times article entitled India Overestimates Its South China Sea Leverage is apparently in response to recent reports that India and Japan may include the Permanent Court of Arbitration's verdict in their joint statement.

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New Delhi's move is seen as a revengeful act against China's decision to block India's bid to become a member of the elite Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG).  

"India knows that it is not yet qualified for membership in the NSG, according to the organisation's rules. China's decision was simply a fulfilment of its international duties," the article said, adding that accusing China as a troublemaker and creating problems to claim revenge are "preposterous" moves for both the Indian media and government.

The article's author Liu Zhun claimed that Indian government's "Look East" foreign policy has triggered India's unprecedented interest in the South China Sea dispute and will not benefit by trying to put pressure on China with the help of Japan.

But Liu wrote that New Delhi seems to have overestimated its influence in the region. He also expressed regret over the fact that Modi has not learned any lesson after Singapore struck down its request to include international arbitration's ruling in the joint statement.

The article further took a swipe at India for not being at ease with China being a larger and more powerful neighbor. The tabloid accused that while India is impressed with its neighbor's unprecedented economic rise, it is equally wary about its rise.

It urged that instead of focusing on the South China Sea Dispute, the Modi government should focus on resolving host of problems plaguing bilateral relationship.    

TagsSouth China Sea Dispute, India and Japan, china, India, India and China