Chair: Major General Dipankar Banerjee,
Director, IPCS
Speaker: Prof Wang Dehua, Director and Professor, Institute for South-Asia and Central-Asia Studies, Shanghai Center for International Studies, Shanghai
Maj. General Dipankar Banerjee
It is necessary to draw attention to some of the recent developments in China-India relations. There are issues, which must be addressed. Tensions have been building up in border areas. This needn’t have happened and must therefore be taken into account.
Prof Wang Dehua
One of the most remarkable phenomenon of the 21st century has been the economic rise of India and China. The two most populous countries in the world are uplifting millions of their citizens from poverty through rapid economic growth. “Chindia”, the term popularized by Jairam Ramesh, refers to China and India together and their economies in particular. India and China are both geographically close and over the last 2000 years, 99.9 per cent of exchanges have been positive and just 0.1 per cent have been bad. “Chindia” has been pursued by both countries and is a historical must.
Both countries keep meeting on the boundary issue as their economic relationship grows. The Sino-Indian relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. The East Asian Community should expand to become an Asian Union similar to the European Union. In the future the great powers would be the US, EU and the Asian Union. China is set to surpass Japan in terms of GDP by the end of this year. On a global scale, China, the US and India are the main powers; on an Asian scale China, Japan and India are the major powers.
As a result of their history, it is hard for China and India not to be suspicious of each other. India is worried by China-Pakistan relations and the security issues dominating the Indian Ocean. China and India should cooperate in non-traditional security issues – weather (especially at the forthcoming Copenhagen Summit), food security and water for example.
Border issues should not always feature in the media. They should be discussed by representatives from each country who are tasked with finding solutions. China and India both claim the same territory so there should be some give and take. The media must refrain from writing about this as it has a negative impact on relations between the two countries and it hinders Chinese investment in India. People to people exchanges should be expanded. India and China should discuss each other’s differences and handle their differences properly. The Dalai Lama should not be allowed to engage in political activities in India. Railway links should be built between India and China. If there was a Delhi to Shanghai railway then Indian goods could come to China and both countries would benefit from the increase in trade.
Discussion
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An improvement in India-China relations is undoubtedly a good thing. However, despite economic engagement no progress has been made on key issues. Arunachal Pradesh is an important part of India and needs to be considered carefully. Asking the Indian Prime Minister not to go there is like asking the Chinese leader not to go to Shanghai. The Dalai Lama is not making a political statement in Tawang. India is a democracy and therefore he is free to go wherever he wants. Moreover, in India we cannot clamp down on the media like it is done in China. Why has China no confidence in India, which has done nothing to encourage problems relating to the Dalai Lama. India has accepted Chinese sovereignty over Tibet so there is nothing to worry about. China and India should move forward to resolve border issues sensibly as soon as possible to enable harmonious relations for the betterment of Asia. India is extremely worried about Chinese weapon developments, which are clearly not defensive. There has been no meeting of minds on such issues. The two governments are engaged in discussing borders. Think-tanks and universities should also be discussing these issues without seeking to resolve them. This would be a confidence building activity.
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India does not appear to be one of China’s top priorities. Arunachal Pradesh is a very important matter. Incursions can occur on an undecided border and this can be understood. The current situation, however, is going to cut a deep wound in the Indian mind. There is little information on what the Chinese media publishes about India. There are three Indian correspondents in China but all report on trivia. No Chinese books and magazines are available here. Tensions are fuelled by an irresponsible media which doesn’t want China/India relations to improve. It is the responsibility of the Chinese embassy to open up to India.
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We are living in the age of the information revolution. The Chinese media is on the internet as is the Indian and they are aggravating the situation. Hyped-up, twisted information is the problem.
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India and China are future economic stars. India and China are striving to make up half of the world’s GDP. There is no need to be concerned about the relationship with the US. The media is free in both countries. Therefore, it shouldn’t be taken seriously. If there are contentious issues, pro forma comments should be made. Af-Pak terrorism affects both China and India. It would be good to hear more about that.
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There has been a growing economic partnership between the two countries and progress on global issues like climate change. There has however been no progress on politico-strategic issues. It is good for China if India maintains its territorial integrity.
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The issue of the China-India border has come to the fore this year. This issue must not be left to history. Neither the Chinese government nor the Indian government will be able to accept the status quo as it stands at present. There has to be give and take. It is important however to note that at present, conflict is almost entirely internet based.
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China has resumed its past practices with regard to visas for Kashmiri's. The idea of India blocking Chinese work visas has been suggested. This is an extremely bad idea.
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India-China-Russia has not been mentioned despite much progress on this front. There is a good case for making progress on this front.
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After the 1962 war India adhered to the one China policy and India recognised Tibet as part of China. China promotes peaceful Indo-Pak relations. The IPI should extend to Tibet and Yunnan. China hopes that the IPI line will be built.
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The recent hardening of China’s positions vis-à-vis India is not based on fears regarding growing ties of India with other nations like the US. China-US relations are good. Obama will visit China next month. China-India cooperation is not aimed against the US. The US is still number one and will not be surpassed by India and China.
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As to the issue of why China is not willing to resolve it border dispute with India despite having resolved it with Russia, it is hard to comment without knowledge of the real objectives of the government. If Mao had not drawn back, maybe things would be very different. If China acts militarily there will be more destruction – it would be ridiculous. China has 120,000 square kms which are disputed with India. Just 38,000 of these are in China’s hands. There needs to be concessions on both sides.
Anna Louise Strachan
Research Intern, IPCS
Email: anna@ipcs.org
