梵典华章，龙象共舞，携手开创亚洲世纪
Dragon-Elephant Tango Creating the Asian Century
驻印度大使罗照辉写在纪念中印建交69周年之际
Chinese Ambassador to India H.E. Luo Zhaohui on the Occasion of the 69th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between China and India
2019年4月2日
4 April 2019
位于新德里市中心的帝国饭店很受中国人青睐，因为它与新中国有不解之缘。1950年4月1日中印建交后，曾租用这里作为临时馆舍长达3年之久。遥想当年新中国首批外交官身负使命，在这里白手起家、筚路蓝缕，为中印关系开基创业，居功至伟。
The Imperial Hotel in the downtown of New Delhi is much favoured by Chinese because of its close bond to the People’s Republic of China. After the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India on April 1, 1950, the hotel was rented as a temporary chancery for Chinese diplomats for three years. The first batch of diplomats of the People’s Republic of China started their mission from scratch and made a great contribution to laying the foundation of China-India relations.
人生七十古来稀，回望中印建交近70年的历程，我不禁感慨万千。
As a Chinese saying goes, “A man seldom reaches the age of seventy years in ancient times.” Looking back on the history after the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India for nearly 70 years, I can’t help but be felt with emotions.
建交是中印关系的一件大事，也在当时产生重要国际影响。两大东方文明古国，历经殖民者和法西斯侵略磨难，携手并肩走到一起，在浩浩荡荡的亚非拉民族独立和解放运动征程中，写下浓墨重彩一笔，开启了复兴东方文明的波澜壮阔进程。
The establishment of diplomatic ties was a major event in China-India relations, which had significant international implications. Through the sufferings of aggression by colonialists and fascists, the two ancient Eastern civilizations had come together side by side and opened a brilliant chapter in the journey of national independence and liberation movement in Asia, Africa and Latin America, ushering in the magnificent process of reviving Eastern civilizations.
建交传承了中印两千年的友好交往。巍巍雪山，浩浩流沙，从未隔断中印文明交往步伐。汉明帝夜梦金人，白马驮经，佛兴天竺，法流东国。玄奘西行求法，高僧大德梯山航海，匹马孤征，梵典与华章交相辉映。张骞出使西域，发现自印度贩入的“蜀布”和“邛竹杖”。中国的造纸术、蚕丝、瓷器、茶叶传入印度，印度歌舞、天文、建筑、香料等传入中国，成为双方经古丝绸之路互通有无的历史佐证。郑和七下西洋、六次抵印。近现代以来，孙中山等革命家为印独立运动呐喊鼓劲。印诗圣泰戈尔两次访华，与谭云山等提倡弘扬东方精神文明。抗战时期，印派医疗队援华，柯棣华大夫长眠于中华大地。徐梵澄在印潜心静修33年，译出印度教经典《薄伽梵歌》。
The establishment of diplomatic ties inherited the friendly exchanges between China and India for two thousand years. Towering snow-capped mountains and vast expanse of deserts have never blocked the exchanges between Chinese and Indian civilizations. Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty once dreamed of a golden statue and then dispatched envoys to the Western Regions. They met two eminent monks Kasyapa Matanga and Dharmaraksa from India with a white horse, carrying Buddhism scriptures on the way to China. This indicates that Buddhism was introduced eastward to China from its cradle in India. Monk Xuanzang made a pilgrimage to the West for Buddhism scriptures. Several other eminent monks also crossed sea and mountains alone far to India. Zhang Qian, a famous Chinese envoy in Han Dynasty, went to the Western Regions and discovered “Shu cloth” and “bamboo sticks” that were imported from India. Chinese paper-making, silk, porcelain and tea were introduced to India, and Indian songs and dances, astronomy, architecture and spices were introduced to China. This is a historical evidence of mutual exchanges between the two sides via the ancient Silk Road. During his seven expeditions, the great Chinese navigator Zheng He visited India six times. Since modern times, Dr. Sun Yat-sen and other Chinese revolutionists had been supporting the Indian independence movement. The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore visited China twice and advocated Eastern spiritual civilization together with Tan Yunshan (the founding director of the Department of Chinese Language and Culture “Cheena-Bhavana” at Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan). During the war against Japanese aggression, India sent a medical mission to China in which Doctor Dwarkanath Kotnis, one outstanding representative of this medical team, sacrificed his life in China. Prof. Xu Fancheng, a famous Chinese scholar and translator, spent 33 years in India, where he translated the Hindu classic Bhagavad Gita.
建交开启了现代中印关系发展的新征程。印度是第一个同中国建交的非社会主义国家。印度电影《流浪者》从此风靡中国，影响一代人。“印地秦尼巴依巴依”（印中人民亲如兄弟）在印度成为时代流行语，激励青年投身中印友好大潮。我认为，建交以来中印关系可分为四个阶段：
The establishment of diplomatic ties opened a new journey in the development of modern China-India relations. India was the first non-socialist country to establish diplomatic relations with China. The Indian film Awaara had since swept China and influenced a generation. “Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai” had become a catchphrase in India, inspiring young people to join the tide of China-India friendship. In my view, China-India relations can be divided into four phases since the establishment of diplomatic ties:
第一阶段，建交后的“蜜月期”。除共同提出和平共处五项原则外，周恩来总理与尼赫鲁总理实现互访，共同出席万隆会议，引领会议议题和进程。中印还就日内瓦和谈印支问题开展合作。
The first phase is the “honeymoon period” immediately after the establishment of diplomatic relations. In addition to jointly proposing the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Premier Zhou Enlai and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru exchanged visits and jointly attended the Bandung Conference, guiding the agenda and process of the conference. China and India also conducted cooperation on the 1954 Geneva Conference regarding the settlement of outstanding issues resulting from the First Indochina War.
第二阶段，1962年边界冲突后，中印关系跌入“冰封期”。直到1970年五一劳动节，毛泽东主席在天安门城楼同印驻华使馆临时代办米什拉握手时说，我们总是要友好的，不能老这么吵下去嘛。双方恢复接触。1988年印度总理拉吉夫·甘地对华开启“破冰之旅”，双方达成边界问题与两国关系发展整体脱钩共识。
In the second phase, after the border conflict in 1962, China-India relations fell into a “frozen period”. It was not until Labour Day in 1970 that Chairman Mao Zedong, after shaking hands with Mr. Brajesh Mishra, the then Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy in China at the Tian’anmen Rostrum, said “we cannot keep on quarreling like this. We should try and be friends again.” The two sides then resumed contacts. In 1988, the then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi started his “ice-breaking visit” to China, and the two sides reached the consensus to delink the boundary question from the overall development of bilateral relations.
第三阶段，上世纪九十年代至党的十七大，中印关系的“回暖期”。中印关系开启实现正常化进程。两国谋发展、促合作，共同语言增多，在互学互鉴中促进各自改革开放事业，推动彻底解决了历史遗留的西藏和锡金问题。进入新世纪，中印合作领域从双边向多边拓展，联手为新兴经济体发声。
The third phase, from the 1990s to the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, is the “recovery period” of China-India relations. China and India began the process of normalization of the bilateral relations. The two countries found more common language by seeking development and cooperation, promoted reform and opening up through mutual learning, and pushed for a complete settlement of the issues of Tibet and Sikkim left by the history. Entering the new century, China and India have expanded cooperation from bilateral to multilateral areas, and have joined hands to speak up for emerging economies.
第四阶段，从党的十八大至今，中印关系的“增速期”。习近平主席和莫迪总理开创“家乡外交”，为中印关系投入大量心血。此前李克强总理首访首站即是印度。这期间双边关系曾因2017年洞朗对峙大幅波动。很快两国领导人厦门金砖会晤期间，决定“翻旧页、开新篇、朝前看”。2018年4月，习近平主席高瞻远瞩，与莫迪总理首次在武汉举行具有历史意义的非正式会晤。之后，两国领导人三次会面，三位中国国务委员访印。中印关系提质升级，步入发展快车道，成为中国周边外交的一大亮点。这是习近平外交思想的成功实践。
The fourth phase, from the CPC’s 18th National Congress in 2012 until the present, is the “acceleration period” of China-India relations. President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi initiated “hometown diplomacy” and put huge efforts into China-India relations. India was the first stop of Premier Li Keqiang’s outgoing visits since he took office. Bilateral relations experienced large fluctuations due to the Donglang standoff in 2017. However, the two leaders decided to take a forward-looking approach to “turn the page and open a new chapter of the bilateral relations” during the BRICS Xiamen summit in September 2017. With great vision, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi held their first historic informal meeting in Wuhan in April 2018. Subsequently, the two leaders met three times on different occasions and three Chinese State Councilors also visited India respectively. China-India relations have upgraded and entered the fast track of development, becoming a highlight of China’s neighborhood diplomacy. This represents a successful practice of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Diplomacy.
总的看，中印关系沐风栉雨，爬坡过坎，当前良好发展势头来之不易，值得珍惜。以史为鉴，我们有以下几点体会：
In general, China-India relations have experienced hardships and overcome obstacles. The current sound momentum of development has not come by easily and should be cherished. Taking history as a mirror, we have the following observations:
第一，领导人战略引领贯穿始终。建交以来，两国领导人始终牢牢把握中印关系发展的大方向。无论是民族解放运动中并肩战斗，在边界冲突后关系重回正轨，还是在改革开放大潮中互学互鉴，在新时代探索相邻新兴大国相处之道，两国领导人犹如舵手，总是在关键时刻拨乱反正，引领中印关系这艘大船劈波斩浪，勇往直前。
First, leaders’ strategic guidance runs through China-India relations. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, our two leaders have always firmly grasped the general direction of the development of China-India relations. Whenever we fought side by side during the national liberation movement, or put relations back on track after border conflicts, whenever we learned from each other in the tide of reform and opening up, or explored ways for major emerging and neighboring countries to get along with each other in the new era, our two leaders, like helmsmen, always set things right at crucial moments and lead the ship of China-India relations through the waves to forge ahead.
第二，中印关系历经起伏波折，滚滚向前势不可挡。从两国建交四个阶段看，中印关系起伏跌宕，既有坦途，也遇坎坷。从峰谷波动周期看，上下起伏间隔时间越来越短，展现了中印关系的敏感性、成熟度和承压性。近70年的历史实践证明，友好合作占据绝大部分时间，是大势和主流，远大于分歧和摩擦。
Second, China-India relations have gone through twists and turns, but the forward momentum is unstoppable. From the perspective of the four phases after the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-India relations have experienced ups and downs, smooth and bumpy. From the perspective of peak-valley fluctuation model, the fluctuation interval is getting shorter and shorter, which shows the sensitivity, maturity and adaptability of China-India relations. The past 69 years has proven that friendly cooperation, which has dominated most of the time, is the general trend and the mainstream, far more prominent than differences and frictions.
第三，人文交流是“粘合剂”。中印文明有共同的东方基因，即便在风雨如晦的年代，亦能破除藩篱、浴火重生。1981年，中印恢复印官方香客赴藏朝圣安排。目前，两国已建立14对友省友城，人员往来突破百万，印在华留学生总数已超过2万名。中国美食、针灸、武术和电影明星在印广受欢迎。习瑜伽、品红茶、看宝莱坞电影成为中国青年时尚。中国云南民族大学成为印本土外第一家颁发瑜伽硕士学位的高校。去年两国建立高级别人文交流机制并举行首次会议，在中印关系史上前所未有，是厚植两国民意的又一创举。
Third, people-to-people exchanges are the “adhesive” for bilateral relations. The Chinese and Indian civilizations share the same Eastern gene, which enabled us to break down barriers and emerge even in difficult times. In 1981, China and India resumed yatra for official Indian pilgrims to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, Tibet, China. So far, the two countries have established over ten pairs of sister cities or provinces, and personnel exchanges have exceeded one million. The total number of Indian students studying in China is over 20,000. Chinese food, acupuncture, martial arts and movie stars are increasingly popular in India. Practicing yoga, tasting Darjeeling tea and watching Bollywood films have become fashionable among the Chinese youth. Yunnan Minzu University of China became the first university out of India to award master’s degrees in yoga. Last year, the two countries established the High-Level People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges Mechanism and held its first meeting. It is another creative initiative to deepen people-to-people ties between the two countries, unprecedented in the history of China-India relations.
第四，务实合作是“压舱石”。历史上，乃堆拉山口是丝绸之路南线的主要通道，是“茶马古道”的一部分。2006年，中印重开关闭44年的乃堆拉边贸通道。2018年，中印贸易额创955亿美元新高，中国连续多年成为印最大贸易伙伴。目前有1000多家中国公司在印开展业务，小米、VIVO、OPPO等中国手机品牌已占据印市场半壁江山。印度全国软件和服务企业协会在中国大连、贵州和徐州设立了3个IT走廊。中印在医药、信息技术、互联互通领域合作潜力巨大。
Fourth, pragmatic cooperation is the “ballast stone”. The Nathu La Pass was the main access to the Southern line of the Silk Road as part of the “Tea Horse Road” in the history. In 2006, China and India reopened the Nathu La border trade route, which had been closed for 44 years. China has been India’s largest trading partner for consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching a record high of 95.5 billion US dollars in 2018. At present, more than 1,000 Chinese companies are doing business in India, and Chinese mobile phone brands such as Xiaomi, VIVO and OPPO have represented half of the Indian market. The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) of India has established three IT corridors in Dalian, Guizhou and Xuzhou, China. China and India have great potential for cooperation in the fields of medicine, information technology and inter-connectivity.
第五，多边合作是“增长点”。中印同属发展中国家，面临发展经济和改善民生的相同任务，都处在深化改革和推进现代化进程的关键阶段，都需要营造一个良好的外部环境。中印同为中俄印、金砖、上合、二十国集团等多边组织成员，在推动全球化、反对贸易保护主义方面有着共同利益。在重大国际问题上，中印利益一致，立场相近，不约而同用同一个声音说话，为两国关系发展注入新动力。
Fifth, multilateral cooperation is the “growth point”. As developing countries, China and India both face the same tasks of developing the economy and improving people's livelihoods. The two countries are at a critical stage of deepening reform and advancing the modernization process, which require a favorable external environment. As members of multilateral organizations such as RIC, the BRICS, SCO, the G20, etc., both China and India share common interests in promoting globalization and opposing trade protectionism. China and India’s interests converge as the two countries share similar positions on major international issues. By speaking in one voice, the two countries are injecting new impetus into the development of the bilateral relations.
第六，管控分歧是“稳定器”。中印关系不时被分歧和问题干扰，负面清单不仅有边界、达赖等历史遗留问题，还有1267委员会列名等新问题，一些第三方因素如巴基斯坦、美国、南亚，亦对中印关系带来复杂影响。中印曾通过协商对话，成功解决西藏和锡金问题。近年来，两国探讨“中印+”合作新模式，成功开展联合培训阿富汗外交官项目，增进互信，扩大合作蛋糕，缩减负面清单，应成为努力方向。
Sixth, managing differences is the “stabilizer”. China-India relations have been disturbed by differences and problems from time to time. The “negative list” not only includes issues such as boundary and Dalai Lama left by history, but also emerging ones such as the listing issue of the UN Security Council 1267 Committee. Some third-party factors such as Pakistan, the United States, and South Asia have implications for China-India relations as well. China and India have successfully resolved the issues of Tibet and Sikkim through consultation and dialogue. In recent years, the two countries have been exploring “China-India Plus”, a new model of cooperation, and successfully carried out a joint China-India training program for Afghan diplomats. It should be the direction of efforts for China and India to enhance mutual trust, enlarge cooperation cakes and narrow down the divergence.
明年将迎来中印建交70周年。下一步，我们要继续以习近平外交思想为引领，突出“转化”、“稳定”和“愿景”三个关键词，实现中印关系行稳致远。转化就是要将两国领导人武汉会晤等共识传递到民间，转化为行动；稳定就是双方需超越危机管控式外交，探索主动塑造模式，打破两国关系起起伏伏的怪圈；愿景就是以四大合作为导向，商签《中印睦邻友好合作条约》，探讨自贸协定安排，启动边界问题早期收获磋商，实现“一带一路”战略对接。我相信，作为两大文明古国，中印有能力也有智慧，走出一条相邻新兴大国友好相处之道，携手实现龙象共舞，共同开创亚洲世纪，在下一个70年再创辉煌！
China and India will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2020. Looking forward, we should continue to take Xi Jinping’s Thought on Diplomacy as guidance and highlight the three key words of “transmission”, “stability” and “vision” to achieve steady and long-term development of China-India relations. Regarding transmission, we need to transmit the consensus of the two leaders achieved during the Wuhan summit to the grass-root level, and translate it into action. Regarding stability, we need to transcend crisis-managing diplomacy, explore a model to actively shape the relations and break the cycle of ups and downs in the bilateral relations. Regarding vision, we need to be guided by four-area cooperation, namely negotiating and signing “China-India Treaty of Good Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation”, exploring free trade agreements, initiating consultations on early harvests of the boundary question, and achieving synergy on the Belt and Road Initiative. I believe that as two ancient civilizations, China and India have the ability and wisdom to find path for major emerging and neighboring countries to get along with each other, join hands to realize “Dragon-Elephant Tango”, create the Asian century and achieve greater glory in the next 70 years!