Divest aid from dispute

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) must rethink its approval of the India Country Partnership Strategy (2009-12).

In spite of the bank's quick denial of any intention to interfere in state-to-state relations, its action has potentially serious political implications. Which is contrary to its apolitical image as a development aid provider, and its proclaimed commitment to non-involvement in member countries' political affairs.

This is not a matter of China versus development aid, or China against aid to India, or against India. But the ADB decision on Tuesday pressed China into an obvious dilemma - opposing the India Country Partnership Strategy (2009-12) may leave the, though misleading, impression that China is against aid to a neighbor it tries hard to befriend; or it accepts an international document that compromises its territorial sovereignty.