China' s tie with triad in South Asia

As the world’s largest populated and second largest economy, China holds 14 neighbors with different political aspects and geographical structures. China’s south Asian neighbors have complicated cultural backgrounds and livelihoods but it has profound relationships with them too.

South Asia, most of which lies along the Indian Ocean, includes eight nations, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri-Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan. India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the conventional friends of China.

Developing country India is the world’s second largest populated nation ares its longest border with developing nation China. With the establishment of new China in 1949, India tied the diplomatic relations as the first world’s largest democratic nation towards socialist China. Now, diplomatic relations involve political, economic and cultural exchanges and people-to-people relations.

As the world’s two most populated nations, this duo has had its ups and downs, such as border disputes, bittersweet incidents in history and everlasting cold-egoism, though those two parties assimilate the thousand age old friendship in virtual aspects.

Being atomic powers the two neighbors have had confrontations but they are can stand on the same stage as part of the BRICS group. China and India stand together with political agendas and social, cultural, economic and scientific issues. The major distance between the two nations are the Tibet situation and border disputes. Sometimes in international affairs they both share equal viewpoints.

Both nations have diversities in all aspects, both developing nations have to pay attention to allocate livelihood, both should learn from each other and both should have to narrow down the inter complications. Both need to believe in each other and both have to deepen mutual understanding on regional and inter-related issues to create healthy relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and newly-elected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have some similarities. They are massively moving forward to achieve the national stable growth, peace, economic development and so on. Both nations, along with Myanmar, are the founders of ‘5 principles of peaceful co-existence’, which is the vitality of inter-relations. In the near future two national leaders are going to visit each other and that would pave a milestone in two giants of East and South Asia.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been China’s best friends throughout history. There have not been not major scuffles on the surface. Of special note is that Pakistan is a Muslim nation with religious similarities to China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. To maintain religious peace and stability, China is inspired to have a good relations with Pakistan. Furthermore, Pakistan is a ‘safe guard’ for China to keep India in a ‘checks and balances’ condition while the two have been historic archrivals.    

Pakistan is one of the crucial investment destinations of China but obstacles are multiplying amid tensions from security and terrorism. China is open hearted towards Pakistan to generate brotherhood and join hands for Pakistani peace and prosperity. Pakistani political leaders have frequently visited China bolster friendly relations.

Sri Lanka is the small friendly partner of China who has no conflicts seen since so long. That’s the symbol of calmness between the two nations. And there are many exchanges in bilateral diplomatic relations, such infrastructure, energy so on. Chinese private companies are also deeply investing in Sri Lanka. Apart from this, both nations have people to people exchanges and non-governmental relations. Chinese green tea is sold on the Sri Lankan market.

In short it can be said the triad South Asian nations are vital for Chinese ongoing marketing aspects and obviously one can change his house but cannot change his neighbors. It will be better for China if it can upgrade relations with its neighbors with mutual and equal aspect. They need to be alert while making each other happy, as another can be angry. You don’t want to divide neighbors with lesser and higher priorities. Just as all south Asian nations have inherent qualities that might be everlasting and supportive of China.