India-China Relations, The Five Guidelines To A Dragon-Elephant Tango

India-China relations have become one of the most important bilateral relations and the formulation of ‘five mutuals’ can help bring China-India relations back to a stable and sound track.

About Five Mutuals for Better India-China Relations

• China and India are close neighbors. Both learned from each other in ancient times, shared weal and woe in modern times, and have a common cause of rejuvenation today. 
• Mutual Respect: It is the prerequisite for the development of China-India relations. 
  • As two ancient civilisations, both China and India have their own uniqueness in terms of dietary habits, lifestyles, cultural traditions and development paths. 
  • In the new era, it is of even greater significance to view each other with an open mind, respect each other’s development path, social system and role on the world stage, and jointly promote development and prosperity of the two countries, the region and the world.
• Mutual Understanding: It is the basis of the development of India-China relations. 
  • The two peoples empathized with and supported each other in their respective struggles for national independence and liberation. 
  • Both countries are among the largest developing countries. There is a need to further promote dialogue and communication at all levels in various fields, encourage the two peoples to have more exchanges, and promote mutual understanding and political trust, so as to consolidate the political and public foundation for the development of bilateral relations.
• Mutual Trust: It is the key to the development of India-China relations. 
  • As the international situation is more volatile and uncertain than before, China and India should avoid mutual suspicion and attrition in order to rise together. 
  • Both could work together for peaceful coexistence and insist on resolving disputes in a peaceful manner. 
• Mutual Accommodation: It is the guarantee of the development of India-China relations. China and India are neighbors who cannot be moved away. 
  • As both inherit the political wisdom of ancient oriental civilisations, it is believed that they can find effective ways to mutually accommodate each other’s core interests and major concerns, properly handle differences through dialogue, and reach a mutually acceptable solution. 
• Mutual Accomplishment: It is the direction of the development of India-China relations. 
  • As important emerging economies, China and India are both at a critical stage of national development and revitalisation, and enjoy broad common interests and the space for cooperation. 
    • India has the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” and China is advancing Chinese modernisation on all fronts. 
  • Both need to work together to help each other succeed, achieve common development and revitalisation, promote the unity and cooperation of the Global South, and join hands to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

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Conclusion

• To forge a right path for the neighboring countries to coexist in harmony and develop hand in hand, the “Five Mutuals” carry forward and further develop the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. They are also a useful guide for both sides to implement the important consensus reached by both Countries. 

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