Fostering Collaboration for Mutual Benefits: What Is Important for the Two Asian Giants?
China and India have enough foresight and ability to join hands to realize the ‘Dragon-Elephant Tango’ and create a brilliant future.
China and India have enough foresight and ability to join hands to realize the ‘Dragon-Elephant Tango’ and create a brilliant future.
The latest China-Bhutan Border MoU has sent very positive message on finding resolution of the border issues, and also provides a constructive signal to the entire Trans-Himalaya region.
Even though India hasn’t joined the Belt and Road Initiative, it should partner with China under the BRI on issue-based offerings such as solar energy cooperation and green energy cooperation.
The SCO ideals of shared prosperity and mutual respect with emphasis on economic ties, comprehensive security, and people-to-people contact can push India-China cooperation forward.
The SCO group has sent out a signal of unity in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, cross-border terrorism, unilateralism, trade protectionism and with a promise of enhancing SCO solidarity and building a better post-COVID region.
This is not propaganda. As a frequent visitor to many parts of China, I have seen how the quality of life of common people has risen.
If both New Delhi and Beijing can find a way to bridge the divide over things like the border issues and the Belt and Road Initiative through dialogue and consultation, both sides will create mutual benefits for their over 2.7 billion people, as well as the region and the rest of the world.
People-to-people dialogue calls for abandoning the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game mindset.
China and India face similar development tasks and goals, and their common interests far outweigh their differences.
If the COVID-19 pandemic marks an acceleration of the shift in global power towards Asia, then it is imperative for the sake of humanity that India and China both benefit from such a shift in equal measure.
Both India and China have huge consumer bases and populations with lifestyles ready to be upgraded to improve standards of living.
There have been a few bumps in the road, but that is not a reason to cut off engagement with each other.