Framing a Discourse: China and India in the Modern World

One of the greatest tragedies of our times is that even as we speak of "a shrinking world" the languages available to us to characterise the relations between states have dangerously narrowed. In the hegemonic discourse, India and China are supposed to be "rivals" for economic power and stature and sections in the two countries view each other with suspicion. But we need to frame a counter discourse by turning to the experiences of individuals like Dwarkanath Kotnis, a doctor without borders, who was inspired to give expression to the ancient friendship between the two countries. We need similar acts of transgression on the part of many more people if the present sterile discourse about India and China is not to monopolise our imagination.