Historians will probably remember the reopening of the Himalayan Nathu La pass, closed for almost half a century, as a key moment in the political and economic development and Sino-Indian relations. Forty years ago, Indian and Chinese troops fought each other around this barren and forbidding section of the ancient Silk Road. On Thursday, soldiers from each country saluted each other smartly while officials and politicians exchanged warm greetings and tokens of friendship.
Behind the once bitter confrontation that brought these two countries close to all out war was China’s anger at the decision of the ancient independent kingdom of Sikkim to become part of India. But the differences went deeper. In those days India enjoyed close relations with the Russians who had fallen out badly with their former Chinese allies. Nor had either country woken up to their full economic potential. Industry in China was subservient to the requirements and dogma of Maoist theory while in India, commercial initiatives were frequently stifled by red tape and bureaucratic and political inertia.
A few decades on and the commercial fortunes of both countries have changed out of all recognition. China may still be the fastest growing economy but India is not far behind. It is therefore unsurprising that for the initial period of the Nathu La pass’ reopening, transit will be limited to trade. The demand for tourists will no doubt build up quickly and the Chinese will probably be happy to accept tours from India, whose participants will be able to complete their trip with a ride from Lhasa to Beijing on the newly-completed railway, a remarkable engineering feat. But trade comes first.
The pass itself will be in need of upgrading before it can become one of the great international road connections. But all of this will come in due time. The significance of Thursday’s celebrations was largely political. Just over three years ago India’s then premier, Atal Behari Vajpayee, visited Beijing on a trip, which did much to thaw relations between the two countries. Commentators described the deal signed in Beijing as “pragmatic” because it accepted the status quo while not explicitly endorsing it. Thus India did not totally abandon its position that Tibetans, whose country was invaded by the Chinese in 1959 should be allowed to vote on becoming part of China while the Chinese did not absolutely give up their contention that Sikkim should remain independent. The key provision inked in the 2003 deal was the reopening of the Nathu La pass.
It has taken three years. But now the restoration of the historic link has become a reality. With time and continued good will much more is likely to be achieved. Future Sino-Indian confrontations are likely to be fought in trade negotiating rooms, not on icy Himalayan mountaintops. However the modern globalization of trade relies on cooperation as well as competition. Chinese and Indian business executives and investors seemed destined to be working together in the future as surely as the Nathu La pass now links them geographically.
