- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 23 Sep 2025 07:50 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Losang Sangay, former president of the Tibetan government-in-exile, has issued a stark warning to India about China’s growing influence over the country’s political and business elites. In an interview with NDTV, he claimed that the Chinese embassy in New Delhi is attempting to sway Indian leaders and influential figures, even allegedly plotting regime-level interventions.
Sangay explained that elite co-option, or “elite capture,” has been a long-standing strategy for China. “They try to buy politicians, intellectuals, businessmen, journalists, and now even YouTubers,” he said. He mentioned China's past strategies in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Mongolia as instances of this approach, cautioning that India is now being put at the same risk.
Pointing to the recent developments, he mentioned that participation at Chinese National Day receptions in India consists of several politicians and entrepreneurs, with questions about Beijing's efforts to foster influence.
Regional Implications And South Asia
China's reach, according to Sangay, goes throughout South Asia. In Nepal, he added, there is one party which is pro-China openly and the other is pro-India. Likewise in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, China has developed intimate relationships with ruling elites.
He added that China’s influence campaigns are not limited to Asia. In Europe, some ministers who publicly praised China later obtained high-paying positions as directors in Chinese companies, sometimes earning over USD 800,000 annually.
Warning To Indian Leaders
Sangay appealed to Indian politicians, entrepreneurs, and journalists to remain watchful. "China does not care who comes to power; it only wants to unite people for its interests," he asserted. He emphasised that all, whether in politics or any vocation, should be careful about Beijing's expanding influence.
India's trade deficit with China, Dr. Sangay also pointed out, is a strategic weakness. India imports USD 113 billion of Chinese goods but only exports USD 14 billion, he added. This, he contended, is to the advantage of China and at the expense of domestic manufacturing and employment generation in India.