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The authentic details of India's cultural evolution are found in the Indus Valley Civilization from 2500-2000 B.C., followed by the Vedic period, 2000-1500 B. C. The first detailed and historical phase of China's cultural evolution was the Shang Yin era of 1765-1122 B.C., followed by the Chou, Chin and Han eras up to 220 A.D. Chinese culture reached great heights with the development of the great philosophies of Confucianism and Taoism, which later merged with Buddhist ideas and values. This merging found a parallel in India where the Dravidian and Aryan cultures intermingled around 2000 B.C. Later other cultures reached India and were harmonized and integrated into Indian culture.
The characteristic of harmony that Indian and Chinese cultures achieved thousands of years ago had a great impact on other countries. As China and India are neighbors, their interaction influenced large numbers of people in both countries. These influences can be seen even now among the people living in India's northeastern regions and in China's border areas.
The Indo-Chinese relationship was established in ancient times on the basis of the quality of harmony present in both cultures. It would require a big book to describe in detail the longstanding cultural ties. However, one consequence of these profound cultural ties was that hundreds of Chinese scholars were students at India's famous Nalanda University long before the birth of Christ. Chinese scholars participated in Buddhist congregations -- in fact, they were the center of attraction at a congregation held in Kashmir during the reign of Emperor Kanishka in the first century A.D.
From that time until the 19th century scholars of the two countries visited each other and strengthened their cultural ties. In ancient times, Indian scholars like Dharmaratha, Kumarajiva, Buddhajiva, Dharmakshema and Sanghabhuti visited China, while Chinese scholars Fa-hein, Sung-Yun, It-Sing and Huentsang came to India. Huentsang was the chairman of a Buddhist conference sponsored by the Indian Emperor Harshavardhana.
This is not all. Huentsang and Fa-hein enriched Indian history by their writings, which became an inseparable part of it. In other words, Indian history is incomplete without a mention of these scholars. We can say therefore that the Indo-Chinese cultural relationship is not just a past event of history.
In this regard it is not out of context to mention that it was due to sound and old cultural ties between India and China that President Chiang Kai-Shek was always anxious about the political situation in India when he was in power on the mainland. Chiang could see that China and India shared common interests. He not only wholeheartedly and actively supported the cause of freedom for India in the 1940s, but especially wrote to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt on July 29, 1942: "India has reached an extremely intense and critical stage...Your country is the leader in the war of right against might...For a long time, the Indian people have been expecting the USA to come out and take a stand on the side of justice and equality." Also he could courageously advise the government of Britain, "The wisest and the most enlightened policy for Britain to pursue would be to restore to India her complete freedom."
India and China have also historically been prosperous countries with strong economic ties. The first evidence is found in the 5th and 6th centuries B.C., with relations strengthening in the Gupta period of the 5th century A.D. A firm economic and trade relationship existed between the two countries up until the first half of the 20th century.
After World War II the political and economic order of the world underwent a great change. India and China began to emerge as separate powers. It was a period of transition and extremely necessary to open a new chapter in relations, but unfortunately with the emergence of the People's Republic of China there developed an atmosphere of bitterness. It was a time of serious setback for thousands of years of cultural and economic relations. Why? It is not relevant to discuss the reasons in detail here, but in spite of this bitterness the two countries should not ignore their long and firmly established ties, nor can they afford to do so.
Economic relations between India and the People's Republic of China began to improve in the 1980s. Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1988, President K. R. Narayanan in May 2000 and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in June 2003 visited the People's Republic of China, while former Premier Li Peng and Premier Zhu Rongji came to India in June 2001 and January 2002 respectively. These visits gave a boost to diplomatic and trade relations.
Bilateral trade, which amounted to US$3 billion per year five years ago, has now grown to more than US$10 billion. This is a good indicator, but it should be raised further. Opportunities lie in the development of infrastructure and trade between India's northeast and China's western regions. Underdeveloped regions of Myanmar could also be included. In line with this, the opening of a trade route over the Nathula Pass, which links India and Tibet, has been proposed. It is a very important issue that could prove beneficial to both sides. It is time for the two governments to come up with such mutually beneficial plans, and the participation of non-governmental organizations should also be encouraged.
The People's Republic of China is maintaining an economic growth rate of 8 to 10 percent per year. India's economy is also fast-moving, with a similar growth rate. But both countries face a big challenge in bringing the rural areas up to par with the cities. China and India could cooperate with each other to solve this problem.
Economic cooperation between India and China is now indispensable, and their cultural ties provide a firm foundation for further development. The present Chinese government is well aware of the importance of cooperation with India, and steps taken to improve relations through mutual accommodation are praiseworthy. India also recognizes the importance of China in the economic order of the world. There seem to be a desire and a will on both sides to resolve problems through mutual discussion and create an environment for cooperation.
However, there is still an issue of trust between the two countries that must be resolved. The attack on Indian forces by Chinese troops over disputed territory in 1962 created an atmosphere of mistrust that still persists in the hearts of many Indians. It is essential to transform this mistrust if relations are to strengthen.
It would definitely boost efforts at mutual accommodation if the present liberal leadership of the People's Republic of China would come forward and begin improving relations with its neighbors by creating an atmosphere of trust.
For the last half century many people in the world, and particularly Indians, are suspicious of the intentions of the communist rulers of the People's Republic of China, believing that their policy lies in territorial expansion. They have created an atmosphere of fear through their demonstrations of power.
As a sincere friend, I therefore urge the People's Republic of China to makes serious efforts in the spirit of goodwill to improve relations with all its neighbors, to boost cultural and economic relations, and to help stabilize the newly emerging world order in this age of globalization.
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(Dr. Ravindra Kumar is a renowned Gandhian scholar, India expert and writer. He is the former vice chancellor of CCS University in Meerut, India. He holds a doctorate in political science. © Copyright Ravindra Kumar)
