India and China - Playing Nice

The China-India relationship is in some ways unique in history. There is perhaps no other example of two countries, indeed two ancient many-splendoured civilizations, coexisting side-by-side, both in geography and in the realm of ideas, in peace and harmony, almost uninterrupted for millennia. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao put it succinctly and if I may so, with the great empirical precision that China is noted for, and I quote---"during the past 2200 years, for about 99% of the time we have devoted to friendly cooperation between our two countries."Unquote. That is indeed so.

India China Institute (ICI), based at The New School, fosters study, research and connections among India, China and the United States, countries that increasingly share interests and challenges.

A shared vision for the 21st Century of the Republic of India and the People's Republic of China

H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of the Republic of India and H.E., Mr. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, meeting in Beijing on 14 January 2008, resolve to promote the building of a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity through developing the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and prosperity between two countries.

Indian and China (hereinafter referred to as the "two sides") are the two largest developing nations on earth representing more than one-third of humanity.  The two sides recognize that both India and China bear a significant historical responsibility to ensure comprehensive, balanced and sustainable economics and social development of the two countries and to promote peace and development in Asia and the world as a whole.

The two sides are convinced that it is time to look to the future in building a relationship of friendship and trust, based on equality, in which each is sensitive to the concerns and aspirations of the other.  The two sides reiterate that India-China friendship and common development with have a positive influence on the future of the international system.  India -China relations are not targeted at any country, now will it affect their friendship with other countries.

The two sides believe that in the new century, Panchsheel, the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, should continue to constitute the basic guiding principles for good relations between all countries and for creating the conditions for realizing peace and progress of humankind.  An international system founded on these principles will be fair, rational, equal and mutually beneficial, will promote durable peace and common prosperity, create equal opportunities and eliminate poverty and discrimination.

The two sides hold that the right of each country to choose its own path of social, economic and political development in which fundamental human rights and the rule of law are given their due place, should be respected.  An international system founded in tolerance and respect for diversity will promote the cause of peace and reduce the use, or threat of use, of force.  The two sides favor an open and inclusive international system and believe the drawing lines on the ground of ideologies and values, or on geographical criteria, is not conducive to peaceful and harmonious coexistence.

The two sides believe that the continuous democratization of international relations and multilateralism are an important objective in the new century.  The central role of the United Nations in promoting international peace, security and development should be recognized and promoted.  The two sides support comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including giving priority to increasing the representation of developing countries in the Security Council.  The Indian side reiterates its aspirations for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.  The Chinese side attaches great importance to India's position as a major developing country in international affairs.  The Chinese side understands and supports India's aspirations to play a greater role in the United Nations, including in the Security Council.

The two sides support and encourage the processes of regional integration that provide mutually beneficial opportunities for growth, as an important feature of the emerging international economic system.  The two sides positively view each others' participation in regional processes and agree wot strengthen their coordination and consultation within regional cooperation mechanisms including the East Asia Summit, to explore together and with other countries a new architecture for closer regional cooperation in Asia, and to make joint efforts for further regional integration of Asia.  The two sides will strengthen their coordination under the framework of Asia-Europe Meeting, and are committed to strengthening and deepening Asia=Europe comprehensive partnership.

The two sides take a positive view on each other's participation in sub-regional multilateral cooperation processes between like-minded countries, including South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation, Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation and Shanghai Cooperation Organization.  The two sides hold that this does not affect either county's existing friendly relations or cooperation with other countries.

The two sides welcome the positive facets of economic globalization, and are ready to face and meet its challenges, and will work with other countries towards balanced and mutually beneficial economic globalization.  The two sides believe that the establishment of an open, fair,equitable, transparent and rule-based multilateral trading system is the common aspiration of all countries.  The two sides favor the early conclusion of the Doha Development Round, placing the issues that affect the poorest of the poor at its core.  The two sides are determined to strengthen their coordination with other developing countries in order to secure their shared objectives.

The two sides are confident that it is in the common interest of the international community to establish an international energy order that is fair, equitable, secure and stable, and to the benefit of the entire international community.  The two sides are committed to making joint efforts to diversify the global energy mix and enhance the share of clean and renewable energy, so as to met the energy requirements of all countries.

The two sides welcome the opportunity for their outstanding scientists to work together in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, which is of great potential significance in meeting the global energy challenge in an environmentally sustainable manner.  As two countries with advanced scientific capabilities, the two sides pledge to promote bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy, consistent with their respective international commitments, which will contribute to energy security and to dealing with risks associated with climate change.

The two sides recognize the challenge that humankind faces from climate change.  The two sides take the issue of climate change seriously and reiterate their readiness to join the international community in the efforts to address climate change.  The two sides also stand ready to enhance technological cooperation between the two countries.  The two sides welcome the outcome of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCCC) meeting in Bali in December 2007 and agree to work closely during the negotiation process laid out in the Bali Road Map for long term cooperative action under the Convention.  The two sides emphasis the importance of addressing climate change in accordance with priciples and provisions of the UNFCCC and it's Kyoto Protocol, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

The two sides appeal to the international community to move forward the processes of multilateral arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.  Outer space is the common heritage of humankind.  It is the responsibility of all space-faring nations to commit to the peaceful uses of outer space.  The two sides express their categorial opposition to the weaponisation and arms race in outer space.

The two sides strongly condemn the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and in all regions of the world.  The two sides pledge to work together and with the international community to strengthen the global framework against terrorism in a long - term, sustained and comprehensive manner.

The two sides believe that cultural and religious tolerance and dialogue between civilizations and people will contribute to overall peace and stability of our world.  The two sides believe that their bilateral relationship in this century will be of significant regional and global influence.  The two sides will continuously promote confidence building measures through steadily enhanced contacts in the field of defence.  The two sides therefore welcome the commencement of the India-China Defence Dialogue and express their satisfaction at the successful conclusion of the first joint anti-terrorism training between their armed forces in December 2007.  The two sides also welcome their efforts to set an example on trans-border rivers by commencing cooperation since 2002.  The Indian side highly appreciates the assistance extended by China on the provision of flood season hydrological data which has assisted India in ensuring the safety and security of its population in the regions along these rivers.  The two sides agree that this has contributed positively to building mutual understanding and trust.

The two sides remain firmly committed to resolving outstanding differences, including on the boundary question, through peaceful negotiations, while ensuring that such differences are not allowed to affect the positive development of bilateral relations.  The two sides reiterate their determination to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question and to build a boundary of peace and frienship on the basis of the Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question concluded in April 2005.  The Special Representatives shall complete at an early date the task of arriving at an agreed framwork of settlement on the basis of this Agreement.

The Indian side recalls that India was among the first countries to recognize that there is one China and that its one China policy has remained unaltered.  The Indian side states that it would continue to abide by its one China policy, and oppose any activity that is against the one China prnciple.  The Chinese side expresses its appreciation for the Indian position.

The two sides recognize the responsibilites and obligations of the two countries to the international community.  The two sides are dtermined to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Indian and China, for the betterment of both countries and to bring about a brigher future for humanity.

(Dr. Manmohan Singh)                                                                                           
Prime MInister of the Republic of India

(Wen Jiabo)
Premier of the State Council of the  People's Republic of China                                                                                            
Beijing
January 14, 2008