For half a century, Western media have cheered India on, pitting it against bogeyman China.
Unfortunately, there is fertile ground for Anglo-US divide & rule to flourish. Cross-Himalaya hostility stems from the lingering bitterness of the neighbors’ 1962 war, China’s support for Pakistan and the bombastic ultranationalism of the Modi government.
But during their millennia-long engagement, China and India have had largely cordial, productive relations. In ancient times, Indian Buddhism famously spread to China and blossomed gloriously there, becoming the dominant spiritual tradition of all East Asia. The saga is encapsulated by the epic adventures of the Chinese monk Xuan Zang in India to study, bring home and translate the Buddhist teachings and scriptures.
In modern times, Indian literary icon Rabindranath Tagore was a major advocate of better Indo-Chinese ties, as the piece below reminds us with the approach of the centenary of his groundbreaking journey to China.
With the advent of the multipolar era, it is imperative that Asia’s two mega-nations nurture a better, more constructive relationship. It would be a most powerful boost not only for the region but for the entire world.
Polin Thomas
Unfortunately, there is fertile ground for Anglo-US divide & rule to flourish. Cross-Himalaya hostility stems from the lingering bitterness of the neighbors’ 1962 war, China’s support for Pakistan and the bombastic ultranationalism of the Modi government.
But during their millennia-long engagement, China and India have had largely cordial, productive relations. In ancient times, Indian Buddhism famously spread to China and blossomed gloriously there, becoming the dominant spiritual tradition of all East Asia. The saga is encapsulated by the epic adventures of the Chinese monk Xuan Zang in India to study, bring home and translate the Buddhist teachings and scriptures.
In modern times, Indian literary icon Rabindranath Tagore was a major advocate of better Indo-Chinese ties, as the piece below reminds us with the approach of the centenary of his groundbreaking journey to China.
With the advent of the multipolar era, it is imperative that Asia’s two mega-nations nurture a better, more constructive relationship. It would be a most powerful boost not only for the region but for the entire world.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/325641..