What are the overlapping Interests of India and China?

The interests of India and China are overlapping primarily in three areas.

1. Economics and Trade

In the rapidly changing international environment where geo- economics have replaced ideology both India and china have decided to deepen their economic ties. The economic cooperation is increasing year by year and some economic analysts are predicting the emergence of Chindia by the mid twenty first century. There is steady growth in trade and the trade between India and china by 2011 has crossed over $50 billion and they have set the target of $100 billion by 2015.The world is looking at India and china as an emerging economic powers and will replace the US and Japan by 2050 to become global economic powers. Economics and trade are the areas where mutual engagements and cooperation can benefit both nations. Despite of strains in relationship due to political issues, the economic and trade relations between India and china are showing steady progress in last two decades. The trade has already crossed the figure of $20 billion and will reach to $50 billion by 2020.India’s economic liberalization policy, policy to economically engage with its East Asian nations contribute immensely in economic cooperation with china. The India and china’s economic and trade interests overlap in South and North East Asia. Both are in process of designing policies to engage states of these subcontinents into economic and trade agreements. India’s Look East Policy is the best example to substantiate this point. India and china’s membership to several regional and global joint economic and trade platforms like BRIC, WTO—boosted the cooperation.

2. Containing Terrorism

Both India and China are the victims of terrorist’s violence although intensity of violence differs. Coincidently the source of terrorism in both countries emanates from Pakistan. The roots of terrorist violence in India and china can be traced in Pakistan. Pakistan’s historical links with the Jihadist elements and its policies of aiding and abetting cross border terrorism contributing in terrorist violence across the subcontinent. Despite of having close friendship with Pakistan, China endorses Pakistan role in its Xin Xiang territory. China is facing the challenge of anti-china agitation among the Munlim Uhurars of Xinjiang region of china. These Muslim agitations are getting external support from the Jihadist networks of Pakistan .In sum, the interests of India and china overlap in containing terrorism in south Asia and also in disciplining Pakistan. Collective counter terrorism efforts of India and china shall be crucial to counter the menace of terrorism. In 2002 India and China established a joint working group to counter terrorism. China is one of the fifth members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization along with Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kirgizstan. The organization was founded in 2001 as a collective counter terrorism mechanism. India is trying to seek membership of SCO. If India becomes member, it will boost India china partnership on terrorism.

3. Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is an emerging area where the chances of overlapping of interests are grater. Both India and china are the energy starved countries and the nuclear energy has the potential to satisfy their increasing energy needs and reduce their dependence on Gulf. China can benefit more through nuclear energy trade with India. China is a member of Nuclear Suppliers group and can get huge benefit from supplying nuclear fuel to India.

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