China, South Asia, and the road to shared futures

Read the full article here.

In late December 2024, North-South University (NSU) became a hub for scholars, policymakers, experts, and students gathered under the banner—”China-South  Asia Civilization and Connectivity: History and Contemporary Issues”— an international conference to weave together the threads of history, diplomacy, and shared aspirations. NSU’s  South Asian Institute for Policy and Governance, in collaboration with Yunnan University, orchestrated this grand dialogue. The conference unfolded as a tapestry of stories—of past struggles and future visions—centred on China’s evolving role in  South Asia.

From Rivalries to Roads of Prosperity: Once adversaries in political chess, China and South Asia now explore the highways of economic collaboration. A transformative shift from geopolitical tensions to geo-economic synergy resonated throughout the conference. Speakers envisioned a region where skill development, trade corridors, and modern infrastructure would replace historical divisions, paving avenues of shared progress for nations big and small. However, participants highlighted the need for more equitable trade policies and transparency in infrastructure investments to ensure sustainable partnerships. They noted that unresolved border disputes and imbalances in trade relations remain significant barriers. Economic collaboration was framed as a path to harness shared resources while mitigating regional conflicts.

Topics discussed included:

• The Unseen Threads of Cultural Diplomacy

• The Struggle of Identity in a Post-Colonial World

• A Tale of Two Giants - China and India

• Smaller Nations, Greater Stakes

• The Transformative Power of the Belt and Road

• Energy Dreams and Sustainable Realities

• Ethics and Security-The Balancing Act

• Media’s Power-Mirrors and Lenses

• The Indo-Pacific Chessboard

• AI-The Oracle of Modern Diplomacy

• Ancient Remedies and New Frontiers

Source: Wikipedia