The Heat: China-India Summit aims for bi-national prosperity

The Heat

Xi Jinping, Narendra ModiChinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right after signing agreements in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014. Xi vowed to bring prosperity to Asia and create opportunities for the world as he and Modi began talks Thursday to deepen cooperation through investment and trade. (AP Photo /Manish Swarup)

China pledged billions of dollars to India during a three-day historic visit. For the first time, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to resolve a long-lasting border dispute. 

Together, China and India make up nearly a third of the world’s population. In a united effort, their leaders say they can both prosper economically. For decades, China and India’s relationship has been tested by a border dispute. But this week, China’s President Xi Jinping and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a new chapter by focusing on growing their economies and deepening commercial ties.

During a three-day summit hosted by India, President Xi made the commitment to invest $20 billion over the next five years for industrial parks and infrastructure including railway technology. China said it would support India becoming a full member of the regional security body, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and support India’s aspiration to play a greater role at the United Nations.

Our panel discussed the implications of the historic China-India talks:

  • Hu Shisheng is the Director of the Institute for South & Southeast Asian and Oceania Studies.
  • Pramit Pal Chaudhuri is the the Foreign Editor of the Hindustan Times.
  • Tanvi Madan is a fellow in the Foreign Policy Program at the Brookings Institution.

Our panel discussion continues: