BackIndia, China should assist each other in re-emergence on global stage: Gautam Bambawale
Gautam Bambawale, the former Indian ambassador to China, said Xi’s acceptance that both India and China, the ancient civilisations, are now re-emerging on the global stage and that the two countries should assist each other in this process
PremiumGautam Bambawale was India’s ambassador to China when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Wuhan in April 2018 for the first informal summit. In an email interview to Mint, the former ambassador said that President Xi’s acceptance during the 11-12 October Mamallapuram Summit, that both India and China are ancient civilisations that are now re-emerging on the global stage and that the two countries should assist each other in this process could be called the “Asian Consensus." Edited excerpts from the interview.
You had a ringside view of what happened at the Wuhan summit. What are the main takeaways from the second India-China informal summit? Would you say the summit was successful?
The excellent personal relationship between the two leaders continues. They have discussed national dreams and objectives and ways to achieve them. This is important, as it continues the strategic communication between them. Recognition that differences should not turn into disputes is very important. Secondly, from the Foreign Secretary (Vijay Gokhale’s) briefing it seems that the peace and tranquility on the border is set to continue. There will be a gradual expansion of Military-to-Military exchanges, which will assist in maintenance of peace on the border. Thirdly, the new High Level Mechanism on Trade, Investment and Services points to the in-depth exchanges the two leaders have had on reducing the trade deficit, while expanding economic interactions. This is significant. Fourth, the focus on the people of India and China understanding each other better which continues from Wuhan is excellent particularly India’s efforts to attract more Chinese tourists. And finally, through the Informal Summits it is the top leaders of India and China who have taken control of the relationship. This can only stand it in good stead.
In his briefing on Friday, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said that during the visits to the monuments at Mamallapuram, PM explained to President Xi that India was an old civilisation with a continuous history. What is the relevance of this remark? Do you think there was a very subtle message to the Chinese as far as the choice of Mamallapuram and the showcasing of Indian culture was concerned?
Prime Minister Modi was underlining to President Xi that like China, India too is an ancient civilisation. We have had fruitful exchanges over the centuries and that should be the case today too. Indirectly, PM Modi was also signalling that over many centuries right until about 1750, India and China were the two main economies in the world. That changed with the Industrial Revolution and then Imperialism left both nations poor. So, the trend we are seeing in the 21st Century is the re-emergence on the global stage of not just China, but of India too. In this process of revitalisation and re-emergence, India and China will both benefit if they cooperate.
How significant is the fact that this summit too did not produce a joint statement by the two sides?
Informal Summits are structured so that there is no need for a Joint Statement or Joint Declaration. Of course, if the leaders so desire, they could have a joint outcome document. There is no insistence on such a joint release. So, I don't see anything strange in the fact that there was no joint statement. Again, just because there is no Joint Statement does not mean there were no conclusions or inferences from the Informal Meeting.
The leaders have agreed to meet again in the informal summit format. Is this adding another layer of dialogue to the rounds of talks that we have on the boundary and other issues?
The Informal Summit format is a contribution of India and China to the lexicon of International diplomatic practice. It provides a supple and non-formal method for leaders of two large countries with a complex relationship to interact with each other directly and ensure that bilateral ties remain forward leaning and on an even keel. It is a novel way for leadership summits. Naturally, such discussions need to be fleshed out at the levels of Ministers and Senior Officials.
Is there something to be read into the fact the President Xi did not spend even 24 hours in India and on his way back, stopped off in Nepal?
I don’t read anything into this. What is important is the intense, one-to-one, 6 hour long interaction our two leaders have had. It has enhanced communication, understanding and trust between them and their nations.
Has the summit managed to clear the air of tensions that existed before it started? Kashmir, Imran Khan’s visit to China, etc?
In order to answer this question, one has to take a more macro view of international trends. The fact is that increasingly China, the United States and India are the 3 biggest countries and economies (in PPP terms) in the world and what these 3 countries do and decide will impact global affairs. Take climate change as an example. Actions of these 3 countries will be determining in environmental protection.
China has seen and realised this changing situation and has agreed that the Informal Summit format provides the leaders of India and China flexibility to discuss overarching and long term issues. Their personal chemistry has provided balance to the complex India - China relationship.
Is every issue in our relationship resolved? Obviously the answer is no. Is the relationship on even keel and headed forward. The answer is a resounding yes.
What is the significance of the remark that India and China discussed terrorism and radicalisation in the context of the big countries and complex societies that we both are?
It means both countries recognise radicalism as a threat and will work together to the extent possible to counter it. What is more important is Xi Jinping’s acceptance that both India and China are ancient civilisations which are reinvigorating themselves and re-emerging on the global stage. He also acknowledged that to the extent possible both must assist each other in this process. This is the true “Chennai Connect". I would even go so far as to call it the Asian Consensus.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
