The growing importance of India and China in the region not only impacts them both, but the world at large. Their expanding global powers make it imperative for both countries to be sensitive to each other’s interests and aspirations. It is in their shared interest to work together, bilaterally and with other partners, to reduce tensions and create an environment supportive of their domestic transformation efforts. There is space and opportunity in Asia and beyond for the two countries to grow and realise their development ambitions simultaneously. However, we must not over look the fact that there is not only an element of competition that co-exists along with the elements of cooperation in the India-China relationship, but indeed the lack of transparency and a degree of mistrust is also a part of this bilateral relation. The resolve shown by the two countries to qualitatively elevate their ties by establishing a “strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity” reflects that the relations have now acquired a long-term, global and strategic character and hence, must be treated as such.
It is imperative for India that peace is maintained and that competitive issues are addressed through a mature understanding and peaceful dialogue; that cultural, scientific and educational exchanges take place to promote better over all relations and that India’s trade and commerce receives a boost as a result thereof.
It is thus evident that India’s policy towards China has to be one that is optimistic yet cautious.
FNVA’s objective is to study & analyse developments in China, the Tibet Plateau & the Himalayan frontier regions and their implications for India’s security. Against this background, FNVA promotes Regional Dialogue especially between the peoples of India, Tibet and China. Such Confidence Building Regional Dialogues between scientists and research scholars are organised by FNVA for proper and timely understanding and analysis of emerging realities and challenges affecting the region and the two countries in particular. Such a format equips scholars to appreciate perspectives from a regional dimension and to jointly work out a possible way forward.
