India and China: Friends and Foes

India and China compared

Old and young

While China frets about the effect an aging population will have on its society, India will remain "young" for some time. Lower life expectancies and a higher birth-rate contribute to the effect in India, while higher levels of education in China lead to higher life expectancies and lower birth rates.

India and China compared

Grain silos

China can only use a small portion of its expansive surface for the production of cereals. In 2011, it became a net importer of rice, wheat, and corn for the first time. Increased meat consumption also contributed to the trend. By comparison, India is a net agricultural exporter. Indian cereal stocks often spoil, however, due to poor storage conditions.

India and China compared

World engines

In spite of India's attempts to play catch-up, the economic distance between the two Asian giants is enormous. Both economies are now seen as trend-setters for the world in terms of growth. India's growth has recently weakened, however, due to poorly enacted reforms. China's economy has also slowed.

India and China compared

Connected economies

In terms of business abroad, differences also remain. The gap between the countries in direct foreign investment can be explained by the recent - and much maligned - back-up in Indian reforms. The world's largest exporter, China, would like to reduce its dependence on foreign business. The euro crisis has hampered India's strive to build an export economy.

India and China compared

Energy gap

Differences in development also persist between the two countries in terms of energy consumption per capita and power supply capacities. Last summer, power supplies in north India were lost entirely for days on end. Both countries sit atop reserves of fossil fuels like coal and oil. Their economic growth will further contribute to climate strain.

India and China compared

Defense budgets

India's military spending amounts to approximately one third of China's. That said, India earmarks a larger portion of its GDP on defense than China. India is also the world's largest importer of weapons.

Author: Hans Spross / cd | Editor : Richard Connor

Tawang 50 years after the Indo-Chinese war

Historic monastery

The historic monastery of Tawang is the largest Buddhist monastery in India and one of the biggest Mahayana cloisters in the world. Mahayana is one of the three principle denominations of Buddhism. Built in 1680/1681, the Tawang monastery evolved over the centuries into an important Buddhist center for both spiritual learning and modern education.

Tawang 50 years after the Indo-Chinese war

Rebirth

Guru Rinpoche heads the Tawang monastery. The 45-year-old monk is also the most important person for the residents of the town. People believe that the chief monk is born again, over and over. Guru Rinpoche is said to be currently living through his ninth reincarnation.

Tawang 50 years after the Indo-Chinese war

Monks in training

Once young lamas are consecrated they become monks and the ceremony is a regular and recurring event at the Tawang monastery, the spiritual learning center for Mahayana Buddhism. In 1683, the sixth Dalai Lama Tshangyang Gyatsho was born in Tawang. Ever since, Tawang has maintained a special significance for Tibetan Buddhism.

Tawang 50 years after the Indo-Chinese war

Exchange of goods

Before the Indo-Chinese border war, the Tawang market was an important hub for exchanging goods between India and Tibet. Around 180,000 Indian soldiers are now stationed in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. As a place of strategic significance, Tawang has its own military units.

Tawang 50 years after the Indo-Chinese war

A simple life

The citizens of Tawang do business at the weekly market, which features produce from farms throughout the region. In total, approximately 50,000 people live here.

Tawang 50 years after the Indo-Chinese war

Where countries meet and cultures met

Bumla Pass, the border point between India and China, is just 40 kilometers from Tawang. The pass was part of traditional trade route between the Indian Udalguri and the Tibetan capital, Lhasa. Today the crossing is seldom used.

Tawang 50 years after the Indo-Chinese war

(In)famous crossings

Bumla Pass is one of the most remote border points in the world. Today the pass is well known due to the Dalai Lama's crossing here in 1959 as he fled from Tibet and crossed into India. The pass is also where Chinese troops began an advance that would ultimately take them deep into Arunachal Pradesh.

Tawang 50 years after the Indo-Chinese war

Celebrating independence

The symbolism of the pass can be seen in two parades that take place here every year. Both India and China celebrate their independence close to the Bumla Pass - India on August 15, China on October 1.

Tawang 50 years after the Indo-Chinese war

Memories of war

The memorial of Tawang reminds those who live here of the trauma of Chinese occupation in 1962. Today it has a dual role, serving as the entrance to the military compound of the Indian security force in Tawang. The Indian army maintains a training academy for high-elevation units here.

Tawang 50 years after the Indo-Chinese war

A difficult past

Sange Tsering lived through the war as a young soldier. At 75, he can still remember the tense situation from fall of 1962. Today he is retired and lives in a village called Mokto near Tawang.

Tawang 50 years after the Indo-Chinese war

Peaceful future

The peaceful Monpas pray together with Buddhist monks near the monastery for peace. They are praying for heavenly assistance so that a situation like the Indo-Chinese war of 1962 may never happen again.

Author: Lohit Deka / gb | Editor : Richard Connor