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The Book of Changes, better known as I Ching, is an excellent source of ancient Chinese wisdom, collated over a thousand years. It contains principles of good governance, honourable conduct in public and private life, and ideas that can serve as the basis for foreign policy as well as relations between two nations. The distilled wisdom is inoffensive and can be interpreted in more ways than one.
At last weeks China-India Development Forum in Beijing, rather than cite statistics and repeat what has been already said many times over in the past, I decided to formulate my thoughts around principles borrowed from the Book of Changes. I began with: Friendship from outside is auspicious. India, of course, desires abiding friendship with China a friendship based on mutual understanding and respect, a friendship fashioned after shared concerns, a friendship between equals. Relations between nations are no doubt determined by self-interest; we could try and let friendship between India and China be guided by enlightened self-interest.
There are two ways of looking at India-China relations. We could look at them through the prism of the past, or we could look at them from the perspective of the future. Either way, we would do so from the vantage position of the present. There are undeniable reasons why we should seek greater proximity between New Delhi and Beijing and why the two countries should work towards a paradigm shift in bilateral relations as we enter the second decade of the 21st century.
History tells us that India and China are not only the two greatest civilisations of the East, but that we set the benchmark for civilisational excellence which is universally recognised. The two countries are divided by a border that stretches for 3,600 km. Yet, daunting as that may sound, it has not prevented travel and trade between India and China; our interaction is not of recent vintage, just as we are not nations born 200 or 300 or even 500 years ago.
However, the past cannot be the full story; nor can the present entirely dominate our thinking at least it should not. It is expected of matured civilisations that they will weave a rich tapestry using facts of history, the realities of today and, perhaps most important, a shared vision of the future. This is by no means an easy task and will require tremendous effort and determination by India and China to accomplish. Emperor Qianlong had a simple yet instructive message inscribed on a plaque that hung above his throne: The way of heaven is profound and mysterious. The way of mankind is difficult. Great nations would acknowledge this reality, and then set about the job of overcoming the difficulty.
We are fast moving towards a future where India and China, with nearly 40 per cent of the worlds population, will together dominate the global economy. The only other country of proximate significance will be the US, but that is inconsequential to India-China relations. However, emerging as powerful economies by itself will not serve any larger purpose. That would be served if India and China were to forge a strategic partnership, one which goes beyond stated intent and helps us strategise for the challenges of tomorrows world.
Enhanced trade and cooperation are no doubt important components of the matrix of such a relationship. But there are others too. Dealing with Islamist terrorism, whose manifestation continues to mutate with each passing day, is one of them. The other is global warming and its consequences. China must also acknowledge that India has the right to access data on rivers that flow into our territory as well as glaciers that feed them. Stonewalling Indias requests is not the desired response. China must also realise that Indias friendship will augur well for its future just as Chinas friendship would augur well for our future.
The Book of Changes informs us, No matter how smooth it is, there are always slopes. It would be absurd to suggest that there are no differences between India and China or that there are no issues of disagreement, as some are wont to do. Of course there are differences and disagreements. No relationship is without them. The biggest disagreement, as we all know, is over stretches of our border. Both countries have done the right thing to set up a mechanism to deal with this issue while moving ahead on other fronts, most notably trade. This does not mean the problem has been brushed under the carpet and we need not worry about it, but that we have not allowed ourselves to be overwhelmed by it. That is being pragmatic; that is being mindful of our mutual, enlightened interests.
The test of true friendship is whether friends are honest with, and can freely speak their minds to, each other. India could flatter China, as some countries indeed flatter China, but that would be unwise. It would definitely not be a sign of true friendship. To accept flattery is good for a base person, the Book of Changes alerts us, but it might ill inform a great person. China, as a great nation, should be wary of flattery that emerges from the US.
Friends can also be keen competitors. Friendship and competition are not mutually exclusive, nor do they clash with overarching shared interests. Nor does competition exclude collaboration. The world is big enough for India and China to compete with each other and yet collaborate on key issues of mutual concern. There will be naysayers who will insist that competition and collaboration cannot co-exist. We need not be deterred by them. For, as the Book of Changes says, Prediction will show that the expedition is dangerous. But do not intend to save the expenditure; instead, you must increase it. Taking our bilateral relationship to a new level in tune with the realities of 2025 and beyond will require a joint expedition, in which both India and China would have to invest heavily in more ways than one. If we hit a slope, we should increase the investment.
The Book of Changes cautions us: Give rein to your emotion. If not, disaster lies ahead. There is no benefit whatsoever.It is desirable that media in India and China should avoid the temptation of episodic, knee-jerk reactions, just as the political class should avoid recourse to strident jingoism. Instead, both should exercise restraint. Maintain harmony between all things on Earth to have a long period of peace and stability, the Book of Changes tells us. In a sense, achieving this harmony is the real challenge India and China face today. It also presents us with an opportunity to work together as neighbours, as friends, as equals.
The Pioneer :: Home : >> An opportunity for India China
At last weeks China-India Development Forum in Beijing, rather than cite statistics and repeat what has been already said many times over in the past, I decided to formulate my thoughts around principles borrowed from the Book of Changes. I began with: Friendship from outside is auspicious. India, of course, desires abiding friendship with China a friendship based on mutual understanding and respect, a friendship fashioned after shared concerns, a friendship between equals. Relations between nations are no doubt determined by self-interest; we could try and let friendship between India and China be guided by enlightened self-interest.
There are two ways of looking at India-China relations. We could look at them through the prism of the past, or we could look at them from the perspective of the future. Either way, we would do so from the vantage position of the present. There are undeniable reasons why we should seek greater proximity between New Delhi and Beijing and why the two countries should work towards a paradigm shift in bilateral relations as we enter the second decade of the 21st century.
History tells us that India and China are not only the two greatest civilisations of the East, but that we set the benchmark for civilisational excellence which is universally recognised. The two countries are divided by a border that stretches for 3,600 km. Yet, daunting as that may sound, it has not prevented travel and trade between India and China; our interaction is not of recent vintage, just as we are not nations born 200 or 300 or even 500 years ago.
However, the past cannot be the full story; nor can the present entirely dominate our thinking at least it should not. It is expected of matured civilisations that they will weave a rich tapestry using facts of history, the realities of today and, perhaps most important, a shared vision of the future. This is by no means an easy task and will require tremendous effort and determination by India and China to accomplish. Emperor Qianlong had a simple yet instructive message inscribed on a plaque that hung above his throne: The way of heaven is profound and mysterious. The way of mankind is difficult. Great nations would acknowledge this reality, and then set about the job of overcoming the difficulty.
We are fast moving towards a future where India and China, with nearly 40 per cent of the worlds population, will together dominate the global economy. The only other country of proximate significance will be the US, but that is inconsequential to India-China relations. However, emerging as powerful economies by itself will not serve any larger purpose. That would be served if India and China were to forge a strategic partnership, one which goes beyond stated intent and helps us strategise for the challenges of tomorrows world.
Enhanced trade and cooperation are no doubt important components of the matrix of such a relationship. But there are others too. Dealing with Islamist terrorism, whose manifestation continues to mutate with each passing day, is one of them. The other is global warming and its consequences. China must also acknowledge that India has the right to access data on rivers that flow into our territory as well as glaciers that feed them. Stonewalling Indias requests is not the desired response. China must also realise that Indias friendship will augur well for its future just as Chinas friendship would augur well for our future.
The Book of Changes informs us, No matter how smooth it is, there are always slopes. It would be absurd to suggest that there are no differences between India and China or that there are no issues of disagreement, as some are wont to do. Of course there are differences and disagreements. No relationship is without them. The biggest disagreement, as we all know, is over stretches of our border. Both countries have done the right thing to set up a mechanism to deal with this issue while moving ahead on other fronts, most notably trade. This does not mean the problem has been brushed under the carpet and we need not worry about it, but that we have not allowed ourselves to be overwhelmed by it. That is being pragmatic; that is being mindful of our mutual, enlightened interests.
The test of true friendship is whether friends are honest with, and can freely speak their minds to, each other. India could flatter China, as some countries indeed flatter China, but that would be unwise. It would definitely not be a sign of true friendship. To accept flattery is good for a base person, the Book of Changes alerts us, but it might ill inform a great person. China, as a great nation, should be wary of flattery that emerges from the US.
Friends can also be keen competitors. Friendship and competition are not mutually exclusive, nor do they clash with overarching shared interests. Nor does competition exclude collaboration. The world is big enough for India and China to compete with each other and yet collaborate on key issues of mutual concern. There will be naysayers who will insist that competition and collaboration cannot co-exist. We need not be deterred by them. For, as the Book of Changes says, Prediction will show that the expedition is dangerous. But do not intend to save the expenditure; instead, you must increase it. Taking our bilateral relationship to a new level in tune with the realities of 2025 and beyond will require a joint expedition, in which both India and China would have to invest heavily in more ways than one. If we hit a slope, we should increase the investment.
The Book of Changes cautions us: Give rein to your emotion. If not, disaster lies ahead. There is no benefit whatsoever.It is desirable that media in India and China should avoid the temptation of episodic, knee-jerk reactions, just as the political class should avoid recourse to strident jingoism. Instead, both should exercise restraint. Maintain harmony between all things on Earth to have a long period of peace and stability, the Book of Changes tells us. In a sense, achieving this harmony is the real challenge India and China face today. It also presents us with an opportunity to work together as neighbours, as friends, as equals.
The Pioneer :: Home : >> An opportunity for India China
and "Fei long zai tian" (飞龙在天
