Divide India, Chinese scholar says

NEW DELHI, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- China, with the help of friendly neighbors, should split India into as many as 30 independent nation-states along various nationalities, a scholar recommends.

Zhan Lue, a scholar at the China International Institute for Strategic Studies, says the nation of India has no historic foundation because it relies on the Hindu religion for unity.

The author recommends China, acting for the benefit of the region, should collaborate with the Assamese, Tamils and Kashmiris to establish their own independent nation, India's Indo-Asian News Service reports.

The article singles out the radical United Liberation Front of Assam in the northeast of India as a candidate for support from Beijing in their separatist ambitions.

Meanwhile, the author says Beijing could lend its political support to Bangladesh to encourage ethnic Bengalis in India to unite under a common Bengali nation.

Zhan goes on to recommend that India be divided into as many as 30 independent nation-states similar to the European Union on the premise that New Delhi could eliminate its caste system and move toward social reforms in South Asia.

The article's publication follows a round of bilateral talks between China and India during the weekend, with Beijing stressing the need to strengthen strategic relations in Asia.