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Convergence of interests between India and China

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-01 07:52

Chairman Mao Zedong and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru meet in October 1954 in Beijing.

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru with Premier Zhou Enlai and Madame Soong Ching Ling in October 1954 in Beijing.

On April 1, 2010, India and China commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between their governments.

This occasion has acquired considerable symbolism, signifying as it does a new phase in our relationship.

Historical moments are re-visited and the commitment to expand ties in the future reaffirmed. As may be expected, the anniversary provides a context for commemorative events of a very wide variety to be held in both countries. In both tangible and intangible ways, cooperation emerges greatly strengthened as a result.

Ties between India and China have been moving in a steadily positive direction for more than two decades. The engagement between the two polities has broadened significantly and a growing number of dialogs and bilateral forums testify to a mutual appreciation of their converging interests.

Visits by high-level leaders provide occasions to set out directions for the development of the relationship. They also send strong public signals of the priority that the two countries attach to their bilateral ties.

The visits of Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao to India in 2006 and 2005 respectively and that by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to China in 2008 are recent landmarks.

In January 2008, during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit, the two Governments agreed on "A Shared Vision for the 21st Century".

They looked to the future in building a relationship of friendship and trust, based on equality, in which each is sensitive to the concerns and aspirations of the other.

They were confident that India-China friendship will have a positive influence on the future of the international system.

They were also convinced that the continuous democratization of international relations and multilateralism are an important objective. This vision continues to guide the further development of India-China ties.

A defining characteristic of the new phase of the relationship is the centrality of economic cooperation. China is India's largest partner in trade in goods, while India is China's tenth largest.

In 2008, bilateral trade was estimated at $52 billion and in 2009, despite the global economic slowdown, at $44 billion.

The first two months of 2010 have shown 55 percent increase as compared to the previous year. The two countries have set for themselves a turnover target of $60 billion for 2010. India's infrastructure and consumer demands offer opportunities for Chinese companies.

At the same time, India is focused on exporting information technology, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods and services and agro-exports. A balanced and equitable trade is necessary for its long-term sustainability.

India and China have greatly expanded their functional cooperation in areas as diverse as science and technology, space, coal, renewable energy, water resources, forestry, agriculture, railways, culture, tourism, youth affairs, media and information, traditional medicine, labor, human resource development, auditing, anti-corruption and policing.

The two nations are also committed to resolving outstanding differences, including on the boundary question, through peaceful negotiations. Such differences are not allowed to affect the positive development of the bilateral relationship.

The convergence of interests between India and China is evident on a broad range of global issues. The two countries work closely together on climate change and multilateral trade development. They share membership amongst others of the G20, BRICs, BASIC, East Asia Summit and ARF.

India was among the earliest nations to accord recognition to the People's Republic of China and was the first non-socialist state to establish diplomatic relations with it.

It was among the first countries to recognize that there is one China and its one-China policy has remained unaltered. In the early years of their relationship, the two countries had a record of cooperating closely on the key international issues of the day. Today, as rising powers, they have the opportunity once again of doing so, drawing encouragement from their shared history and past traditions.

Dr S Jaishankar

Indian ambassador to China