Interview of Ambassador of India to China, Dr. S. Jaishankar- April 1, 2010

 By Selina Sun, William Wang (translator)

China Report: This year is the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. China sets this year as “India Year”, while India sets it as “China Year”. Would you please tell us something about the main celebration activities in India? What are they and how they go? Besides trade promotion, are there many arrangements on cultural exchange and other aspects?

Dr. S. Jaishankar?:  It is a very important anniversary for us. We should remind the younger generations that India and China have stood together in the past. That will strengthen our resolve to do so in future on issues of common concern. Yes, we are doing a number of trade promotion events. In fact, these will be in 17 cities between April and October, 2010. In addition, there will be cultural activities in more than 30 cities so that we enjoy a better appreciation at the popular level.  

China Report: At present, China has surpassed America and become India’s biggest trade partner. India is China’s tenth biggest trade partner. Would you summarize the economic exchange and trade between the two countries and their economic achievements in the past 60 years and in recent years especially?

Dr. S. Jaishankar:  The most visible change in this new phase of our ties can be seen in our trade figures. Fifteen years ago, in 1995, bilateral trade was only $ 1.2 billion. In 2000, it was still only $ 3 billion. By 2005, it had grown to $ 18.7 billion. The last two years have seen our trade post strong growth. It was $ 51 billion in 2008 and in 2009, despite the global economic downturn, was $ 43 billion. The first two months of 2010 have been very encouraging. There is more than 50% growth as compared to 2009. The point to note is that economic cooperation is a central element of the new India-China relations. It is, therefore, very important that the businesses of both countries must succeed when dealing with each other and investing in each other.

China Report:You said that the Chinese enterprises in India are more actively than the Indian enterprises in China. Would you please interpret this in detail?  

Dr. S. Jaishankar: There are two issues. One, are Chinese enterprises more active than Indian? I believe they are. But linked to this is, two, is India’s domestic market more open than China’s? I also believe that is so.  Therefore, on the one hand, Indian business must strive harder. On the other, China should be more encouraging and open, particularly when it comes to IT, pharmaceuticals, agro-exports and engineering services.   This is in long term Chinese interest.  

China Report:China and India have diplomatic relations for 60 years. It is a golden moment now to think and summarize. You said that to enhance cooperation is to find a solution for the counterpart’s problem. Thus the Chinese market should make more effort to promote the economic cooperation between the two countries. In your point of view, what should the Chinese market do?

Dr. S. Jaishankar: Essentially, Chinese companies should approach opportunities relating to Indian companies with a more open mind. Of course, that is possible only when India markets its capabilities more aggressively. I assure you we will do that this year. We have a big IT event to do exactly that on 26^th March. We will do a pharmaceutical event later in the year. I have personally lobbied our business chambers to send industry-focused delegations to the 17 events we will be holding.  

 China Report:China and India share many things in common, as both have a large population, and both are developing countries and important members in the BRICs. How would you judge the roles those in common play in the exchanges between the two countries and their effects in the future?

Dr. S. Jaishankar: India and China have a strong convergence of interests.   This can be reflected in our bilateral relations and in our approach to regional and global issues. It is upto us to translate that convergence into cooperation. If that happens in a significant way, obviously, it will have much bigger repercussions. 

China Report:As the Chinese economy taking off, some Indian people are on alert for China’s speedy development. What’s your point of view about this? What’s your advice for China and India to deepen the mutual trust in the future?

Dr. S. Jaishankar: My sense is that there is actually considerable admiration in the mind of the average Indian when it comes to China’s economic achievements. For us, there are lessons to be learnt. Mutual trust will grow as habits of cooperation develop. 

China Report:Under the mechanism called BRICs, in what fields should the two countries further their cooperation, and what roles should they play on the international stage?

Dr. S. Jaishankar: We should await the Summit next month to assess the direction of BRICs cooperation. 

China Report:India has a big motion picture industry. For many years, the Chinese like the Bollywood movies like Caravan, Asoka and Devdas. Do you like Chinese movies? Can you name some? And which movie star do you like most?

Dr. S. Jaishankar: I haven’t seen as many Chinese films as I should.   Recently, I watched the ‘Founding of the Republic’. It was very engrossing. Of course, some of the more famous films like ‘House of the Flying Daggers’ and ‘Warriors of Heaven and Earth’ have been seen by me. I also like ‘Red Cliff ’ very much. 

China Report:Some Chinese experts are now summarizing Sino-India diplomatic relations at the 60^th anniversary of its establishment. They mentioned about some historical lessons and also some historical obstacles which need to be overcome in the exchanges between the two countries. How do you think about these unhappy stories in history?

Dr. S. Jaishankar: My counter question would be: Should we always remain prisoners of history? India and China are both rising. They have a great future ahead. That calls for optimism and a positive approach to our relationship. 

China Report:Some border disputes between China and India have not yet been resolved. What results do you expect?

Dr. S. Jaishankar: It is a complicated issue and will naturally require time. 

China Report:You have overseas work experience in many countries. Compare to other countries, what are the peculiarity and difference for you to work in China?

Dr. S. Jaishankar: I think the most fascinating part of China is the scale and speed of change that I see around me. It is also the only country whose challenges are comparable to those we face in India. That makes it very special. 

 China Report:Since you took office in August 2009, you have been to many places in China, like Shanghai and Guangzhou. Can you tell us your impression on China? What is the biggest difference between living in China and in India?

Dr. S. Jaishankar: Both the modernity and the heritage of China are of great interest to a person like me. Their co-existence is probably better understood by an Indian. In my profession, it is not that we ignore differences. But we constantly search for common ground. I can assure you that India and China have much more in common than you might assume at first glance.