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INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS


Over the past 20 years, China-India relations have improved in both breadth and depth. There has been a warming of political ties. Over the last 2 years, high level visits have been frequent signaling the growing importance of both countries in each other's success.

China-India business cooperation is booming. The two-way trade has soared from $272 million in 1993 to $75 billion in 2015. People-to-people exchanges have been on the upside, and 11 pairs of sister provinces/cities have been created between the two countries.

There is a close cooperation between India and China in international and regional affairs, with better coordination under the framework of multilateral regimes including the UN, G20, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Cooperation between the two has also strengthened in issues pertaining to climate change, global governance and reform of international financial institutions, together contributing significantly to the building of a fair and more equitable international order.

What needs to be done to strengthen the relationship?

  1. Keep up the momentum of high-level exchanges which infuses dynamism into our ties. These exchanges along with a full play of existing mechanisms enhance strategic communication and increase mutual understanding.

  2. Align the development strategies. China and India share common ideas and complementary strategies of development. China is at a crucial stage of deepening reform and restructuring its economy comprehensively. India too is at a critical juncture of reform and development.

  3. Deepen business cooperation. This would include actively exploring a China-India regional trading arrangement and encourage cooperation on major projects. New industrial cities are being built by Chinese companies in India. Such projects will help create jobs and boost India's development. Also, we can work together on new and renewable energy projects.

  4. Promote people-to-people exchanges- more direct flights, religious exchanges and pilgrimages

  5. Enhance international and regional cooperation as the scope of China-India relations have gone beyond bilateral matters. Apart from converging interests, we face common challenges in Asia and beyond. Cooperation has to be enhanced in SCO, and work together to ensure the success of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the BRICS New Development Bank, increase strategic communication and coordination on international and regional affairs and become global partners in matters of strategic coordination.

  6. Manage differences properly by enhancing cooperation and CBMs

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