India-China: Can the two Asian giants move past their differences?

India Today

Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on Lex Fridman’s podcast about Indo-China relations, global discussions have surged on the prospects of improved ties between the two Asian giants.

Transcript

00:00From India-China Bhai Bhai once, to now asking, can India-China become Bhai Bhai again?

00:05A lot of snowstorm has passed over the Himalayas between these two countries.

00:10Between that slogan and now the question in 2025.

00:14So now the question that is emerging again.

00:16Can two ancient civilizations with centuries of shared history overcome modern day tensions to forge a genuine friendship?

00:24The relationship between India and China has been anything but calm.

00:28There's been a border clash, economic competition, betrayal by China leading to the 1962 war,

00:33its friendship with Pakistan in the recent days and so on and so forth.

00:38So a fact that raises a pivotal question.

00:41Can these two Asian giants truly become friends and therefore a collective force?

00:48In a recent podcast with Lex Fridman,

00:50Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on how historically India and China shared a rich history.

00:56He emphasized that deep cultural and historical friendship that have bound the two civilizations,

01:02thus suggesting that this shared heritage can actually serve as a foundation for more renewed cooperation.

01:09Interestingly, this statement was also received well by China,

01:13which is usually through its media been only targeting India.

01:16Chinese officials chose to welcome Prime Minister Modi's positive remarks,

01:20also expressing a mutual desire to strengthen bilateral ties.

01:24But I want to remind the viewer that China's words cannot be trusted,

01:29its actions will have to be followed.

01:32So what are the issues nevertheless that possibly can help build relationship between India and China?

01:39Number one, economy.

01:41Both India and China are strong economies presently in the top five world over.

01:46Unlike the Western nations where their economy has taken a bad hit since the COVID pandemic,

01:51then wars in West Asia, Russia, Ukraine and so on.

01:55Meanwhile, India and China are interlinked in terms of economy.

02:00In 2024, China surpassed the United States of America to become India's largest trading partner.

02:06Imports exceeded $100 billion despite border tensions between the neighbor countries.

02:12This economic interdependence signifies potential benefits while maintaining a healthy competition,

02:18especially, for example, in sectors like manufacturing.

02:21So just imagine this, if these two strong, stable, developing economies get together,

02:26as do neighbor nations, what a giant in Asia they can collectively become.

02:31Number two, military.

02:33Sadly, from the China-India war of 1962, especially the Battle of Rizangla,

02:37to the deadly clash in 2020 in Galwan, it's left scars on both sides.

02:43There were 21 rounds of core commander level talks to finally reduce military tensions.

02:49Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the hope

02:53that now there will be a path to lasting peace through dialogue and trust-building measures.

02:59Both nations have strong military.

03:01Earlier, the two nations even, remember, had the hand-in-hand joint military exercise.

03:06The last one, reportedly in 2019.

03:09But it was the tensions of the Line of Actual Control that put an end to it.

03:13But till it lasted, experts believe, it helped in tactical activities, practices,

03:19and to efficiently plan and execute counter-terror operations, for example.

03:23However, recently, China with Pakistan concluded a joint naval exercise, Amman 25.

03:30This is where the concern remains, after all.

03:33Of not a collaboration between China and Pakistan, that's not happening.

03:36But clearly, China's tilt toward Pakistan, Pakistan's desperation to be influenced by China,

03:43that does not mean well for India.

03:46Number three, diplomatic relations between India and China.

03:51Prime Minister Modi met President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Kazan Bricks Summit in 2024 October,

03:57aiming for regional peace and stability.

04:00Because frankly, eventually the political will decides how the two nations can progress together.

04:06The political will will decide if India can keep the borders safe, secure,

04:10and friendly with a country like China.

04:13Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing in January 2025.

04:19India and China agreed to then resume direct flights, visas,

04:25also resumed the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra to the pilgrims this summer.

04:28They've also agreed to resume the dialogue on the trans-border rivers,

04:32sharing of the hydrological data that China has withheld for years.

04:37So amid all of this, possibly Delhi-Kolkata will soon resume flights to Beijing,

04:42Chengdu, and Guangzhou, benefiting both countries and its people.

04:46And finally, number four, I return to where I started from, history.

04:51Chinese scholars like Fa Hin, Hun Sang, and Yi Tseng made significant journeys to India

04:57between 5th and 7th centuries as records go by.

05:00They were drawn toward India in search of Buddhist texts and teachings.

05:05In return, Indian scholars also went to China, fostering cultural exchanges.

05:09Ratna Chinta from Kashmir went to China, translating seven Buddhist works.

05:14Shubhkar Simha went to China from Nalanda.

05:16And I'm talking centuries ago, when this literature-cultural exchange of an intellectual nature existed.

05:23World's fourth Buddhist council was held in Kashmir,

05:27hosted by King Kanishka, where from the world over,

05:30Buddhist scholars were represented, including from China.

05:33So Chinese scholars have always been curious and fascinated by an ancient India.

05:38The Silk Route was an established trade route with regard to the businessmen.

05:42Interesting then, isn't it?

05:44That for thousands of years, great civilizations have existed on both sides of Himalayas,

05:49maintaining cultural links, intellectual links, trade links.

05:53Now while internally, both sides had their share of warring states,

05:56their armies rarely crossed the Himalayas to target each other.

06:01So therefore a reminder, that if our leaders intend, especially if China intends,

06:06and that is a big if, we can become strong allies,

06:11again especially as modern nations, independent countries.

06:15Because unlike Pakistan, China and India both have a positive vision

06:19for their internal prosperity and global contribution.

06:23The journey to this friendship, if possible at all, between India and China is filled with complexities.

06:28There are disputes in economic interests, cultural ties and of course border issues.

06:32So the friendship will have to be a work in progress.

06:35But just think about it again.

06:37India and China, two big giants of Asia, working, collaborating, growing together.

06:43It's a far-fetched dream.

06:45But what is life, if you do not dream?

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