The warming Sino-Indian relationship has melted snow that has
been blocking the only border pass for land trade between the two
nations for 44 years.
Earlier this week, China and India decided to reopen the Nathu
La pass early next month. Border markets will also be set up on
both sides.
The pass, which used to witness 80 percent of trade between the
two countries, was closed after the 1962 border clash.
As the two nations celebrate the "Year of Sino-Indian
Friendship," the re-opening of the pass is more than a symbolic
move, it reflects the rapprochement between the two countries.
They are also economic benefits to reap. In the short term, the
re-opening of the pass will immediately boost trade between people
living in the area.
That will create a favorable atmosphere for general bilateral
trade, which was worth US$19 billion in 2005.
Both of the world's two biggest developing nations are believed
to have enormous growth potential. Economically, they also have
much to exchange and a great deal of fields in which to
co-operate.
In a world where economic co-operation is playing an
ever-greater role, the long-term implications of this reactivated
road link will be very profound.
Goods traded between China and India currently have to travel
thousands of kilometers by sea from southern India to ports in
eastern China.
Upon the opening of the pass, a thoroughfare will run from the
tip of the Indian subcontinent all the way up to Tibet. The route
will be connected to China's railway network at Lhasa, at the end
of the newly built Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
Understandably, this new "silk road" offers great potential for
the development of Sino-Indian trade. It could also form an
important link between South Asia and East Asia.
Visionary people have raised the compelling idea of an
integrated Asian community, including both the East Asian and South
Asian economies.
Asian economic integration remains at an early stage, but major
Asian economies have all expressed support for this concept.
So the re-opening of a small pass on the Himalayas should not
only be welcomed by the Chinese and Indian peoples, but also by
people throughout the continent.
(China Daily June 21, 2006)
