Closer India-China ties are in everyone’s interest

The very nature of the summit between Modi and Xi shows both are determined to chart a closer course

Over the past two days, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met in a series of informal talks in the city of Wuhan. Indeed, the choice of the venue is significant in that both leaders have chosen to talk far from the media glare of their two capitals, and the setting speaks more to the workmanlike nature of the mini summit. And the two have a lot to talk about in resetting relations between the world’s two most-populous nations.

Last year, tensions were running high between the two in the most serious border tensions in three decades. Those have been toned down, particularly since the two leaders met at the Brics summit and meetings between ministers followed. Now, things are looking up.

The sheer size and breadth of China’s economy makes it a valuable partner for Indian manufacturers and suppliers, and the sheer cost of scale means that all Indians can benefit from stronger ties to the world’s second-largest economic power. Simply put, China’s economy is five times larger than India’s – and that represents investment and opportunity for Prime Minister Modi.

But trade is not the only issue that mutually concerns both. Securing Afghanistan and making it less volatile through economic development and transport links will benefit India too. What’s more, China’s cooperation when it comes to Indian concerns will be to Prime Minister Modi’s advantage, enabling India’s admission to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a body that oversees nuclear trade. The reality is that above all else, Prime Minister Modi is a pragmatist, and it’s in his nation’s interest to forge close ties with the more powerful neighbours.