Asia’s Last Peace: Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai

The seeds of doubt between China and India were sown in the 20th century, with British attempts to align Tibet with British India, leading to the 1904 Expedition to Tibet, which the Qing Dynasty viewed as a direct affront to its sovereignty. By 1965, India (IB) and the CIA secretly planted a nuclear-powered surveillance device on Nanda Devi to monitor China’s nuclear tests, but the mission failed, and the lost plutonium device, radioisotope thermoelectric generator, remains unaccounted for to this day, deepening the mistrust between the two nations.

On April 1, 1950, India became the first non-socialist bloc country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. In a few days, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of this relationship. Two giants—China and India—occupy the heart of this vast and diverse landmass, their destinies irrevocably intertwined. As Wang Yi noted, Mao used the metaphor of a “cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant” to describe the importance of China and India working together harmoniously.

With populations exceeding 2.85 billion, these nations wield the power to shape the future not only of Asia but of the entire world. Yet, despite their economic rise and deep historical connections, their relationship remains one of profound ambivalence, laced with suspicion, insecurity, and an unresolved legacy of conflict. If the peace of Asia is to hold, it hinges on this question: can India and China shed the weight of history and build a future of cooperation, respect, and stability?

The answer to this question is not as simple as it might seem. In the aftermath of the 1962 Sino-Indian War, India and China were forced into a narrative of hostility, which directly contradicted Nehru’s bold assertion, “Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai” (Indians and Chinese are brothers). The war, with its brutality and China’s swift victory, continues to echo through the decades, its scars never fully healed. For India, China’s military might has loomed large as an existential threat, shaping its foreign policy and strategic alliances. The West, particularly the United States, has become an increasingly important partner for India as the country seeks to counterbalance China’s rise in the region.

The spectre of the Sino-Indian War, an uncomfortable memory for the Indian psyche, serves as a continuous reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of the bilateral relationship. China, for its part, remains largely indifferent to India’s anxieties, with Nehru’s words after the Sino-Indian War of 1962 continuing to haunt the Indian psyche: ‘We were misled into thinking that China was our friend. We have been deceived into thinking that China would respect our interests and security. But they have shown their true face.’

Yet, despite tensions and the occasional flare-ups of military skirmishes, particularly along the contested areas of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), it is clear that the trajectory of the Indo-China relationship is more nuanced than simple antagonism. Both nations have made remarkable strides in modernizing their economies. China’s rise as an economic juggernaut, coupled with its geopolitical ambitions, has forced India to rethink its position in the world. However, India’s rise has been slower and less controlled, hindered by domestic chaos, systemic corruption, and a democratic framework that, while empowering, often hinders swift and decisive decision-making. Unlike China, India succeeds, as Kishore Mahbubani put it, not because of its government, but despite it. This paradox defines Indian democracy: a system that operates in constant dysfunction yet still manages to deliver results.

India’s struggles are evident in stark contrast to China’s model of governance. In China, the centralized power of the Communist Party has allowed for rapid reforms and unprecedented growth, lifting millions out of poverty and placing the country at the forefront of the global economic stage. For China, this ascent has been marked by the pursuit of hegemony—asserting its influence over its neighbours through both economic means and military presence. India, on the other hand, has faced internal divisions that have stymied its growth.

There is a bitter irony here. As India and China grow—albeit at different rates—the mutual suspicion between them only deepens. For India, China’s meteoric rise is seen not just as an economic miracle but as a strategic and ideological threat. Meanwhile, China views India’s increasing closeness with the West with wariness, sensing an attempt to encircle it, weaken its dominance, and tip the balance of power in Asia. These fears are not unfounded. India’s deepening ties with the United States, the QUAD alliance, and its growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region have been framed by many in Beijing as a deliberate attempt to counter China’s ambitions.

Yet, in recent months, there have been signs of a shift. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the need to normalize relations with China—a statement that was both a recognition of the reality of the global order and a tacit acknowledgment that conflict between India and China would spell disaster not just for Asia but for the world. Modi, in his effort to elevate India as a global power, has become acutely aware of the importance of stabilizing ties with China, opting for dialogue over discord, healthy competition, and strategic focus.

His push for a more pragmatic approach—setting aside the past and focusing on the future—has met with mixed reactions domestically. Indian nationalists, emboldened by their country’s rise, have questioned the wisdom of making overtures to China, accusing the government of compromising India’s sovereignty. But this is a necessary conversation—one that transcends partisan politics and jingoistic nationalism, focusing on what is best for India and Asia as a whole.

Despite their historical antagonisms, both nations are too enmeshed in the global economy to risk full-scale war. The rise of these giants presents a unique opportunity for the world’s largest democracies to forge a united Asia, not one divided by rivalry but strengthened by shared prosperity. Yet this requires more than just diplomatic rhetoric—it demands a profound shift in mindset. India and China must overcome centuries-old grievances and recognize that their fates are intertwined.

The future of Asia hinges on whether these two civilizations, long divided by borders, can rekindle an ancient spirit of cooperation. This is particularly crucial as BRICS, with India and China as key enablers in remapping the Global South, progresses with its vision to reshape the world order. While differences remain, particularly over de-dollarization, the BRICS nations remain inseparable partners in addressing the urgent challenges ahead. Together, they aim to overcome the diminishing influence of the West, which is increasingly failing to hold its position in the global arena. If India and China fail to find peace, the entire continent risks becoming the tinderbox of a future global conflict. The stakes have never been higher.

by Nilantha Ilangamuwa