Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Dipankar Banerjee in the Chair drew attention to the dramatic changes that have taken place in Sino-Indian relations post-Vajpayee visit to China in mid 2003. Stating that it was time to put the past behind, he urged the leadership of the two countries to look at opportunities for greater Sino-Indian interaction in line with the changing contours of world politics. Tracing the Sino-Indian dialogue to the year 1981, Banerjee evinced faith in the sustained dialogue that has taken place ever since. The second round of political level interaction on border issues took place recently and though no information is available, the prospects for a resolution are high. A solution will emerge on the principles of mutual interest and mutual accommodation, that will incorporate both side’s minimum positions. India and China represent the future of Asia, to whom this Century will belong and it is vital that this relationship is stable and cooperative, for the future not only of Asia but mankind.

Prof. Shen Dingli

Based on his personal experience, Prof. Shen observed that the younger generation of China treats India as a threat. Blaming this attitude on the ‘baggage of the border’, he acknowledged the greatness of Indian civilization. Prof. Shen believes that relinquishing the Cold War mentality was responsible for the relations to move in a positive direction. He recalled India’s consistent support for China’s candidature for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council and recognising Beijing as the legitimate representative of all of China (including Taiwan). He also recalled Indian Defence Minister, George Fernandez’s, visit to China during the peak of the SARS epidemic when few foreigners visited the country. However, there remain issues of contention. For India, China’s relation with Pakistan (especially its nuclear and missile relationship) is a hurdle; whilst the Chinese are suspicious of India’s strategic interest in Tibet. The border issue is another unresolved problem afflicting relations between the two countries. This requires a plethora of confidence building measures to resolve. Accommodating India’s position over Sikkim and China’s position over Tibet is a good beginning for China and India respectively. It must be remembered that India and China share many common concerns in the 21st century like trade and commerce, anti-terrorism, and quest for multipolar world order. Reducing the burden of the past will work in the interest of both countries. Being two great nations of Asia, India and China bear the responsibility of making the region harmonious and peaceful. They must also attempt to make each other greater.

Prof. Zheng Ruixiang

Prof. Zheng began his speech by citing Dr. Kotnis as an example of Sino-Indian cooperation long before the initiation of a formal Sino-Indian dialogue in the early 1980s. Tracing the trajectory of Sino-Indian relations in the new century, he noted the frequent exchange of high level visits in recent years. However, Prime Minister Vajpayee’s visit opened a new chapter in bilateral relations with accords being signed in virtually all important fields. This development has paid rich dividends in the form of consistent increase in bilateral trade. Prof Zheng was of the opinion that economy and polity are intertwined and one impacts the other. Based on this premise, he concluded that economic factor acted as a catalyst in improving Sino-Indian relations. Citing the border dispute as an ugly ‘colonial legacy’ that cannot be sorted overnight, he stated that overall improvement in relations should not be held hostage to the border dispute. He suggested the setting up of consultation mechanisms on various contentious issues to resolve disputes and improve relations. But while a lasting solution to the various problems is reached, peace should be maintained at all cost. Crediting the Joint Working Groups (JWG) and the accords of 1993 and 1996 for sustained peace along the border and the growing cooperation in military fields, Prof. Zheng Ruixiang stressed the centrality of the five principles of peaceful coexistence (Panchsheel) espoused by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru of India and Premier Chou Enlai of China, for building a constructive and cooperative relationship in the new century.

Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Pan Zhenqiang

Gen. Pan stressed China’s belief in sovereignty as the vehicle to safeguard national interest. He enumerated the following four principles on which India-China relations should be based:

·         Mutual trust - The earlier phase in Sino-Indian relation was marked with hostility and mutual suspicion. But that has been replaced by mutual trust. Top leaders should take advantage of this new environment and chalk out a ‘new strategic vision’ for the two great powers of Asia and display the will to put that vision into practice in the form of policy initiatives.

·         Mutual benefit – Unlike the past which was characterized by a zero sum competition, the present environment is based on a win-win situation on which both countries should encash.

·         Equality – Each side should regard the other as an ‘equal partner’ and respect the ‘core interests’ of the other, especially security interests and incorporate it in its own policy. For instance, India should keep China’s interest regarding Taiwan in mind while formulating its foreign policy; China will have to do the same while forging ties with Pakistan. There is a need for a clear and accurate understanding of each other’s interests.

·         Coordination – In the recent years coordination is given greater emphasis over cooperation in bilateral relations. ‘Harmony without uniformity’ is the underlying principle behind this new development. Such a move will provide flexibility to the other side and enable them to do things differently without being conflictual.

On the issue of proliferation, the General said that the inevitable implication of nuclearisation of India and Pakistan to other countries, especially in South Asia, is what worries China more than the erosion of the validity of the non-proliferation regime. Speaking of Pakistan, he said that Pakistan’s instability could trigger more problems for both the countries. Hence it is in our common interest to ensure Pakistan’s stability. Also, China’s good relations with Pakistan are in India’s interest. Gen. Pan appreciated India’s rapprochement with Pakistan. He called for a common effort to fight the menace of terrorism.  

Discussion

On the issue of China-Pak relations, it was emphasized that this was based purely on mutual interest and was not directed towards a third party. Moreover, China is eager to develop relations with Pakistan not to the detriment of its relations with India or adversely affecting India’s relations with Pakistan. Hostile Indo-Pak relations are a cause of worry for China as it destabilizes the region. A war between India and Pakistan will put China in a difficult situation as China will be dragged in the conflict one way or the other.

The delegation stated that the alleged support of China to Nepal’s Maoists was baseless.

On the question of China’s support to India’s candidature of a permanent seat in the Security Council, the delegation was supportive of such a move but believes that India will have to muster support from other quarters, especially Asian nations, for realizing this.

About relations with the US, the delegation insisted that both the countries will have to improve relations with the US keeping each other’s sensitivities in mind. Being the founder member of NAM (Non Aligned Movement) and the second largest developing country, China trusts India not to enter into any formal military agreement with the US aimed at containing China, though the US treats China as a security threat and is attempting to contain it by forging ties with India.

Commenting on the futility of 14 rounds of talks, it was stated that both the countries will have to put in sustained effort to maintain peace till the time the border issue is resolved amicably. The various rounds of talks are attempts in that direction and therefore cannot be considered futile. India and China have a plethora of problems of their own to engage in mala fide attempts at creating problem for the other. International environment is favourable for China. It does not find any country a threat, at least in the near future. But both the countries will have to resolve suspicion and anxiety amidst their smaller neighbours, who see them as big brothers in their respective regions of South Asia and East Asia. Their coming together should not be seen as a coalition of the big to bully the small.

While the delegation accepted that China must honour its commitment not to proliferate in terms of material and expertise, it stated that without Pakistan’s acceptance for the recent proliferation of weapons, China cannot severe its relations with Pakistan.

Conclusion 

Gen. Banerjee, concluded that the future belonged to Asia. Though issues of globalization, terrorism, WMDs, and unipolarity posed immediate problems, the two nations would overcome these in future to emerge as powerful nations in the comity of nations. However, what was required immediately was a sound strategic order in the region. Else outside powers would determine the shape, size and orientation of Asia.