![]() Transforming National BoundariesGunjan Singh INDIA, CHINA AND SUB-REGIONAL CONNECTIVITIES IN SOUTH ASIA Edited by D. Suba Chandran and Bhavna Singh Sage, Delhi, 2015, pp. 252, Rs. 695.00 VOLUME XL NUMBER 6 June 2016 Connectivity between India and China
has always been a difficult issue. Historically,
though there was flow of
ideas and goods between the two sides, these
connections were lost over time. With the
economic rise of both India and China the
debate over the benefits which border trade
and connectivity can provide for further development
of the region has gained momentum.
To encash this India and China started
border trade at Nathu La in July 2006. India,
China and Sub-regional Connectivities in
South Asia looks at various aspects of these
new emerging connections and also discusses
areas where the countries of the South Asian
region can build contact which will help in
further improving the economic situation of
the region. The book is divided into two
major parts. Part I is called Border Trade as a
Means of Integration in South Asia and Part II
is called Expanding Connectivity for Greater
Cooperation.
Li Tao highlights the role which the
Sichuan Model can play in South-South
Cooperation (p. 4). He further adds that the
increasing trade in this region can immensely
help Sichuan as well as the South Asian region
(p. 10).
One of the major hurdles with respect
to building border trade between India and
China is the border issue. The border is disputed
and demarcated and thus has not been
perceived as a source of trade. However, as
argued by Teiborlang Kharsyntiew, ‘It is only
of late that there is a general understanding
that borders as product of colonial construction
and source of conflict need to be relooked
at and collectively tap the untapped resources
such as oil and petroleum, hydro power, forest
products, horticulture and floriculture and
tourism of this sub-region’ (p. 61). He further
argues that globalization has played a
crucial role in transforming national boundaries
into economic opportunities (p. 68).
To add to this, Uttam Lal argues that, ‘Stereotypical
barbed wires should give way to
better communication channels and routes
with ever increasing flow of (regulated)
people and trade commodity’ (p. 90).
Border trade will become an important
element of economic growth and thus there
is an urgent need for India and China to
work on their troubled relationship. This argument
has been further
emphasized
by N.
Vijayalakshmi
Brara in the
context of
building
trade relations
between Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh
with Myanmar and China. She argues that,
‘Border trade holds immense potential, and
the two growing economic giants of Asia need
to cooperate ... Table of Contents >> |