As two great civilizations and influential Asian powers, India and China share common responsibilities to ensure peace and stability in the region and the world at large.
As two great civilizations and influential Asian powers, India and China share common responsibilities to ensure peace and stability in the region and the world at large. This was observed by the members of a delegation of the Central Committee of Chinese Communist Party during an interaction with Indian scholars on Friday, July 30, 2010 at the ORF campus, New Delhi.
In his welcome remarks, President of the ORF Centre for International Relations and former Foreign Secretary Amb M. Rasgotra pointed out that the India-China friendship is of “critical importance to the rise of Asia as a whole” and underlined that cooperation between the two sides on global issues like climate change, multilateral trade negotiations and restructuring of global institutions would facilitate in finding equitable solutions to these pressing issues.
There are areas of concern that have to be resolved prudently with patience, Amb Rasgotra said and pointed out that the growing relationship between the two countries should not be “allowed to be tarnished by unnecessary adversarial patrolling and avoidable skirmishes on the Line of Control”. In the age of globalization, both Asian powers share responsibilities to ensure peace and harmony in Asia and in the world. Mutual respect and consideration for each other’s interests would promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries, Amb. Rasgotra stated.
Expressing similar sentiments over developing closer cooperation between India and China, Mr Liu noted that the importance China attaches to India was reflected in the CCCPC delegation’s visit to India. The delegation, while answering to questions, threw light on various aspects concerning the country and the CPC.
The Chinese side noted that the CPC is committed to issues related to the peasants, who were the backbone of the Chinese revolution. Rural areas and farmers remained the priority areas in all CPC’s policies, Mr. Liu said noting that the government abolished agricultural tax in 2006, which had been in practice for ages, to facilitate the development of peasants and rural areas.
On the role of United Front, which was a major force in helping the formation of the CPC, the delegation pointed out that the Front has been working towards solidarity among the various sections of people including the non-communist party members, ethnic and religious minorities, and those working in the private sector. The delegation also noted that the basic ideology of the Party is Marxism but it has been adjusted to the national conditions of the country, giving Chinese characteristics to the broader Marxist ideology. The Party is open to reform and modernization, noted the delegation members.
Both sides acknowledged that peace between the two countries is mutually beneficial. Highlighting the ways to further cement the bilateral ties, Air Commodore (Retd) Jasjit Singh pointed out that among other things there is a need to strengthen military-to-military contacts between the two countries. China-Pakistan ties concerns India because of the hostile Indo-Pak relations. Amb Rasgotra stressed that the growing China-Pakistan proximity worries India. However, this should not become a “barrier” for strengthening India-China relationship, he pointed out.
Echoing similar views, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) S. Krishnaswamy said, in the long run, how China distinguishes between Pakistan and India would play a decisive role in shaping Sino-Indian relationship. Noted journalist Mr. Prem Shankar Jha pointed out that the Tibet issue and China-Pakistan ties in certain critical areas are impediments in the Sino-India bilateral relationship, which need to be addressed for a stronger bilateral relationship. The Chinese delegation stated that China does not want to differentiate between India and Pakistan. Mr. Liu said, “We will not distinguish one country from another since we would like to promote cooperation with all our neighbouring countries”.
The Indian scholars stressed the need for more information from China. Today, most information on China is from western sources. Transparency in disseminating information would make Indian scholars easy to access correct information of China, especially on issues such as security, defence acquisition, etc.
Concluding the session, Amb Rasgotra said that today is the age of “Asia consciousness” and both India and China play an important role in it and should look forward for more constructive engagement. It was noted with consensus among the participants the need for more interactions between the two sides to deepen understanding of each other would help strengthen bilateral relations.
The eleven-member delegation was led by Mr. Liu Mingbo, Director General of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCCPC). The other members of the delegation included Mr. Luo Zongyi, Director General, the Party School of CCCPC, other senior members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and researchers from the Chinese Centre for Contemporary World Studies, a think tank of the Party.
The Chinese Embassy’s Chargé d’affaires, Mr. Zhang Yue also participated at the event. The Indian participants included Mr. Gautam Bambawale, Joint Secretary, East Asia, Ministry of External Affairs, Prof. Sreemati Chakrabarti, Delhi University, Prof. Alka Acharya, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Prof. Madhu Bhalla, Delhi University, and Amb. T.C.A. Rangachari, former Ambassador to China, Mr. Bhaskar Roy, former IPS officer, Air Commodore (Retd.) Jasjit Singh, noted journalist Mr. Prem Shankar Jha, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) S. Krishnaswamy and senior faculty members of the ORF.
< class="heading12boldGeorgia">Welcome speech by Rasgotra
(This report is prepared by Dr. K. Yhome and Angira Sen Sarma, Associate Fellows, ORF)
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