SINGAPORE: India and China are engaged in a positive way to expand their commonalities. It is an outdated perception that the two might be seeking the containment of each other, according to Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran.

In an address to the Shanghai Institute of International Studies on Wednesday, Mr. Saran said New Delhi believed there was enough space and opportunity in Asia and beyond for the two countries to grow. The simultaneous emergence of India and China as Asian and global powers, in fact, made it imperative for them to be sensitive to each other's interests and aspirations. The prevailing global paradigm of cooperation among major powers also demanded that they work together to mutually support their rightful place in the comity of nations.

In this context, Mr. Saran discounted the theories of `balance of power,' `conflict of interests,' and containment as between India and China. The two "are too big to contain each other or be contained by any other country."

Tracing the determination of India and China to fashion a "strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity," he said the multi-dimensional aspects of their current engagement reflected the "shared conviction" that their relations "have now acquired a long-term, global, and strategic character."

Historic opportunity

Affirming their commitment to carry forward the process of resolving the boundary question, he said, "There is a historic opportunity in front of us to settle this outstanding issue that we should not miss."

In the larger regional situation, he said India "would be happy to work closely with China towards the progressive realisation of an East Asian Community and, eventually, a larger Asian Economic Community."

On the global stage, India would hope to work more closely with China on non-proliferation issues, given New Delhi's status as "a responsible nuclear power with impeccable credentials."

In this wider framework of cooperative engagement, he said India would expect Beijing to respond positively to New Delhi's quest for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.

Of relevance to India's overall foreign policy objectives of this magnitude was the "growing U.S. recognition [now] of India's central and enhanced role in international institutions and processes."

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