As India and China commemorate 75 years of diplomatic engagement this year, strong signs of a diplomatic thaw have emerged. 

• The meeting between the Defence Ministers of both countries on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers’ meeting in January;
• Resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in June; and 
• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s two-day visit to India this week all offer glimpses of warmth.

The Historical Foundation between India and China

• Knowledge as the Foundation of India–China Relations: For centuries, the relationship between India and China was shaped more by a shared pursuit of knowledge and intellectual exchange than by modern state boundaries or diplomatic protocols.
• Pilgrimage of Chinese Scholars to India: Chinese monks and scholars such as Faxian (Fahian), Xuanzang (Huan Tsang), and Yijing (I-Tsing) undertook arduous journeys across mountains and deserts to reach India’s great centres of learning.
  • Xuanzang, who spent 17 years in India, documented his experiences extensively, providing a valuable account of India’s educational and cultural life.
• Nalanda as the Heart of Knowledge Exchange: Nalanda University served not merely as an institution but as a symbol of knowledge and philosophy.
  • It was a vibrant hub where over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers from regions such as Tibet, China, Korea, and Central Asia gathered to learn and exchange ideas.
• Intellectual and Academic Culture of Nalanda: Nalanda fostered a culture of debate and discussion, going beyond Buddhist studies to include subjects such as logic, grammar, medicine, and astronomy.
  • Xuanzang himself praised the scholars of Nalanda for their high intellectual ability and pure conduct.
• Enduring Spirit and Values of Nalanda: The enduring spirit of Nalanda is reflected in its motto: “Ā no bhadrāḥ kratavo yantu viśvataḥ” (Let noble thoughts come to us from all directions).
  • This spirit resonates with India’s timeless foreign policy principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family).
• People-to-People Bonds Beyond Governments: This cultural and intellectual connection between India and China represented a deep people-to-people bond that existed independently of governmental or diplomatic ties.

The Current State of relationship between India and China

• Stalled Trade Relations: Following incidents like the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, there has been a significant impact on trade. 
  • India has banned several Chinese apps, and Chinese investments are viewed with suspicion.
• Recurring Military Confrontations: The 2020 Galwan Valley incident led to direct military confrontation and has resulted in a difficult disengagement process. Though disengagement occurred at seven points, the underlying tension remains.
• Bureaucratic Hurdles: Academic and cultural exchanges face significant bureaucratic delays. 
  • Indian scholars researching China or Chinese students wishing to study in India encounter considerable difficulty in obtaining necessary clearances. 
• Rise of ‘Gatekeeper States’: Both India and China have increasingly adopted characteristics of ‘gatekeeper states,’ controlling who enters or leaves the country and what information flows in or out. 
  • This heightened control limits possibilities for engagement. 
  • Although India, as a democracy, is seen as a relatively smaller gatekeeper compared to China, the underlying trend persists.

Lessons China Can Learn From India

• Democratic Decentralisation: India’s experience with empowering Gram Panchayats and fostering grassroots democracy offers a valuable case study.
• Open Civil Society Engagement: China can study India’s open civil society, the role of NGOs, activist groups in ensuring accountability.
• Digital Public Goods: India’s innovations like UPI, Aadhaar, and Co-WIN serve as examples of successful digital public goods.

Lessons India can learn from China

• Food Security: China has successfully fed 1.4 billion people and lifted a large population out of poverty, offering valuable lessons in agricultural technology.
• Infrastructure Development: China’s rapid development of high-speed rail and world-class roads, even in smaller cities, and its execution model are highly instructive.
• Grassroots Entrepreneurship: China’s successful manufacturing ecosystem, which generates numerous jobs and enables small towns to export globally, provides a model for fostering entrepreneurship beyond traditional government jobs.

Nalanda Way

• At its core, the Nalanda tradition embodies three vital values:
  • Curiosity without Fear: The willingness to learn about others without apprehension.
  • Dialogue without Suspicion: Engaging in conversations free from mistrust.
  • Clarity without Aggression: Articulating one’s position clearly and calmly, without hostility.
• These principles are essential for building a steadier path based on understanding and mutual respect. 
• Just as Śīlabhadra, an Indian scholar, taught the Chinese monk Xuanzang, demonstrating that learning can be a form of diplomacy, India must remember that knowledge can bridge friendships.

Way Forward

• Disagreement is not Disengagement: While differences on border issues or trade competition will persist, dialogue must continue. 
  • India can hold firm on its principles, such as territorial integrity, while remaining open to conversations where they matter. This calls for moving beyond reactive diplomacy towards a clear vision.
• Adapt Practices, Not Principles: India does not need to abandon its core principles, but it must be willing to adapt its diplomatic practices. 
  • This means being proactive rather than merely reacting to Chinese actions.
• Invest in Knowledge and People:
  • Strengthen Academic Research: There is a critical need to invest in high-quality academic and policy research on China, as India currently has very few Chinese specialists.
  • Promote Academic Exchanges: Facilitate smoother academic exchanges in non-controversial areas like environment, health, and culture, allowing students and researchers from both countries to interact.
  • Build People-to-People Connections: Encourage tourism, cultural festivals, and sports, fostering direct connections between the people of both nations. 

Conclusion

Perpetually viewing China solely as a threat risks missing numerous opportunities. 

• By drawing on its rich shared legacy and adopting the pragmatic yet open spirit of Nalanda, India can effectively break down the ‘Chinese wall’ and forge a more thoughtful and productive engagement for the future.

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