Cooperation would benefit China and India

If India can join hands with China, the two biggest developing countries, accounting for about 40 percent of the global population, can usher the world into a century of Asia, says an article in 21st Century Business Herald. Excerpts:

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India as Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s special envoy recently. In his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both sides agreed that Sino-India ties are at a new starting point in history and face important opportunities for development.

That Modi attaches significance to India’s economic development is conducive to promoting cooperation between China and India. There are many complementarities in the two developing countries’ development concepts, strategies and advantages.

India is stronger in software programming, service sectors and pharmaceutical industry than China. India also needs more infrastructure construction as a foundation for its growth. China has advanced high-speed railways and roads and has mastered the necessary technology and funds to help India accomplish these major and important projects.

China proposed a $300 billion investment project for infrastructure construction in India earlier this year, before Modi took his post. The door has been open to India for a long time.

India is an important link in the Maritime Silk Road of the 21st Century and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar economic belt, two initiatives proposed by Beijing last year to promote regional integration and trade. India’s attitudes are key to the success of both projects.

The border issues between China and India left by Western colonialists should not be obstacles for the two countries, which are historical cradles of wisdom. Shelving their differences and disputes and deepening collaboration on an equal footing with mutual trust will benefit not only the two peoples, but the whole world.