How can India-China relations get back on track? – Dainik Savera Times

India and China, two of the oldest civilizations in the world, have their own rich history, distinct cultures and huge populations. Over the centuries, relations between these two neighboring countries have varied, at times cooperative, at times competitive and at times even tense. However, no matter how much conflict and disagreement there may be between them, there are still immense possibilities for cooperation and mutual development between them.
In recent decades, both countries have recognized the importance of enhancing people-to-people exchanges in promoting mutual understanding, building trust and strengthening two-way relations. And arguably, the two countries have a lot in common, making them ideal partners in driving significant change in Asia.
If seen, cooperation between India and China can give more than half of the world’s population a chance to dream of peace. Where, Chinese President Xi Jinping had presented the idea of ​​building a community with a shared future for mankind. At the same time, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promoted the ideas of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” i.e. “The whole world is one family”.
Keeping in mind the challenges posed by climate change, natural disasters and pandemic outbreaks, India and China should cooperate as they both share mutual understanding on these important issues. Both these countries have a clear security architecture that primarily focuses on the protection of humans and humanity.
Well, resuming full people-to-people exchanges is a necessary and first step towards healing relations between India and China. Such exchanges can serve as a bridge that connects hearts and strengthens understanding and trust.
Indeed, people-to-people exchange relationships have the potential to break down barriers, foster friendships, and drive positive change in the world. Interaction between people from different backgrounds provides an opportunity to learn a new culture, learn a different language and exchange ideas.
As far as India and China are concerned, it is very important to give priority to travel facilities between the two countries. To achieve this, it is essential to restart direct flights and put in place good processes. These steps are fundamental as they lay the foundation for promoting people-to-people exchanges. At the same time, promoting student exchange programs can contribute significantly to increasing mutual understanding between the two countries.
Apart from this, exchanges, joint seminars and conferences can be organized between intellectuals, scholars etc. of the two countries. This can help in sharing expertise and generating new ideas for collaboration. This cooperation can be done in different fields, like science, social sciences, humanities, political science, media etc.
By encouraging exchange and collaboration among students in fields such as traditional medicine, artificial intelligence (AI) and green energy, we can further enhance collaboration and create a positive environment that fosters trust.
Furthermore, exchanges between religious and cultural groups can be facilitated, which can play an important role in promoting the positive image of both countries. Each other can be exposed to the richness and diversity of their cultures, and misunderstandings and negative perceptions can be dispelled. Not only this, it is also necessary to promote greater media contact between the two countries to create a favorable and positive environment.
There is no doubt that people-to-people exchanges, based on cultural understanding, educational cooperation and economic engagement, hold great potential in fostering long-lasting relations between the citizens of these countries .
As the world’s two most populous and influential countries, India and China shoulder significant responsibility in shaping the future of Asia and the world. Informal meetings between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, like those held in Wuhan and Mahabalipuram, had shown the potential for friendly and harmonious relations.
Maintaining such high-level dialogue and engagement can foster hope and cooperation among citizens. In addition to government officials, dialogue should include exchanges between people at all levels, including educational institutions, universities, and research centers.
India and China should engage in dialogue, dialogue and confidence-building measures to find a peaceful resolution to their differences. By fostering a spirit of cooperation and understanding, both countries can work towards resolving their territorial disputes and strengthening trust between them.
(Akhil Parashar, China Media Group, Beijing)