Perhaps the start of something new, Gulf News

Opinion, June 2003, Al-Jazeerah.info

Perhaps the start of something new (Sino-Indian relations)

Gulf News | | 26-06-2003

Does India's recognition of Tibet during Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit to China this week, and the reciprocal acknowledgement by the Asian giant of the Indian annexation of Sikkim, qualify as a breakthrough in Sino-Indian ties? On one level, yes. It's the first time that India – long a sanctuary for the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of the Tibetan people – has put this down in writing.

India, in fact, recognised Tibet as an autonomous part of the People's Republic in 1954, but the war that took place between the two countries in '62, ensured that Tibet, and India providing refuge for the Tibetan people, would remain the main impediment to improving ties.

The agreement to open up an ancient trade route that runs through disputed Sikkim, which India annexed in 1975 is far more interesting. It underlines the transformation of ties between the two giants, which has been marked by a moving away from contentious issues such as the border dispute to finding common ground and strengthening trade and economic ties.

Opening a part of the fabled Silk Route, will open the huge Chinese and Indian markets to each other, while drawing tourists to a little seen part of the world.

Neither country has touched as yet, on the more thorny issue of China's occupation of parts of Indian territory, India's concerns at the red dragon's encirclement of the sub-continent, and China's own concerns at India's growing closeness to the U.S. and it's role in policing the Malacca Straits.

But in slotting meetings with five of China's top leaders in Vajpayee's six day visit, and appointing envoys to look into the matter, China was signalling it was ready to engage.

So, a breakthrough? No. A new beginning, yes.

Earth, a planet hungry for peace

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03).

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03).