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Vivekananda International Foundation held an interactive session between eminent scholars from China and the VIF faculty on 27 August 2014. The session was organized to discuss Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to India in September and its implications for India- China relations. The Chinese delegation was represented by Prof. Wang Zhengyi, Prof. Li Li, Prof. Su Changhe, Dr. Wu Chunsi, and Dr. Zhang Jiegen.

In his opening remarks, General NC Vij, Director, VIF appreciated the deepening of mutual ties between the two neighbours. He, however, expressed concern over China’s non-committal attitude towards resolving the border issue with India. The Chinese delegation on its part stressed that the public sentiment in both countries is still not ready for a “give and take formulae” which according to them is the most viable solution for settling the border rift between the two countries. Prof. Li, Deputy Director, Institute of South and South-East Asian and Oceanic Studies, CICIR, said that India-China relations today should be viewed from a ‘new context’ perspective.

According to Prof. Li, this context is shaped by the fact that both these Asian powers are witnessing a period of economic rejuvenation and hence are much closer to realizing their respective aspirations. Therefore, India and China should follow a template of enhanced economic and cultural cooperation. The VIF faculty members discussed the regional situation, instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan and gave their perspective on the evolving Sino-Indian relationship. It was emphasised that while the economic relationship might be enhanced during President Xi Jinping’s visit, there is a need to address the strategic dissonance between the two countries especially on the question of border settlement.