By Zhang Xin
Sino-Indian ties, which have been experiencing discord for years due to high economic competition in the region, were further challenged in 2017 by the months-long border standoff at Doklam. Though the two governments managed to put the conflict under control and push ties back on track by the end of last year by holding a high-level dialogue, there is still an undercurrent of uncertainties running between the two sides.
Global Times reporter Zhang Xin (GT) interviewed the newly-appointed Indian Ambassador to China, Gautam Bambawale (Bambawale), to talk about the potential impact of the Doklam standoff on the Sino-Indian bilateral relationship, the obstacles that lie in the way of boosting ties as well as what possible solutions could be adopted.
GT: How do you feel about being appointed as India’s new Ambassador to China?
Bambawale: India and China are ancient civilizations. In the 21st century, we have re-emerged as major powers in the world from a geo-economic and geo-political perspective. The India-China relationship is important to both countries. Therefore, it is a great honor to be appointed as India’s Ambassador to China. Naturally, there are also great responsibilities which go with this position. I am here to work with the Chinese people to move the India-China relationship forward.
GT: Last year’s Doklam standoff has negatively impacted Sino-Indian ties. It is a very unpleasant memory. Although it has passed, it has made a deep impact. Some people believe the strategic trust between China and India has been further weakened by the incident. Do you agree? Can you tell us how you would like to see the development of bilateral relations as ambassador?
Bambawale: As I said earlier, India and China are ancient civilizations. We have had exchanges and interactions over several centuries. For the bulk of this period, India and China have interacted peacefully with each other. We have not merely exchanged goods but also ideas. I look at the Doklam standoff from such a long-term perspective. When you do so, the Doklam standoff is just one event in a much longer term history. I believe that you are blowing it out of proportion. The people of India and China and our leaders are experienced enough and wise enough to overcome such momentary hurdles in our relationship.
I believe that in the post-Doklam period, India and China need to be talking to each other and conversing with each other much more than in the past. This should be done at many different levels, including at the leadership level, the official level and the people-to-people level. We need to be talking and communicating with each other much more than we are doing. Such communication should be frank, candid and open. If we are able to do so successfully, we will understand each other much better and we will build trust and confidence in each other. With enhanced trust and understanding will come a stronger partnership between India and China. I would like to say that India and China are partners in development and progress. We are not rivals.
In our conversations and discussions, it is important to talk to each other and not talk past each other. We must be sensitive to the other side’s concerns. Our interaction must be based on equality and mutual benefit. Also, in the India-China border areas, especially at some sensitive points, it is important not to change the status quo. We need to be clear about this.
GT: As India’s Ambassador to China, what do you plan to do to enhance mutual strategic trust? To be specific, what are the options for the two sides to improve relations in 2018?
Bambawale: As I have said earlier, we should have more conversations, discussions, exchanges and cooperative ventures.
Source:Global Times Published: 2018/1/25
