China and India have the largest similarities than any other country in the world:The Power of Two (2024)

China is a name that is most associated with being a key regulator in how our world functions today. Technologically advanced, and perhaps one of the most imminent superpowers, China has made its presence felt everywhere. From global economy, to labor supply, from politics to science, it has its roots well nestled everywhere. In times of social divide, where countries are battling for front row seats to the show, we tend to lose sight of the larger picture. For in the end, we as humans, are above the petty shenanigans. In reality, our origins are all the same and we come up from the same lineage of humans, thus making us closer to each other and much more psychologically connected than we care to admit. China and India, on these very lines, share much of their background. Not only because they are geographical neighbors and are so closely linked by international borders, but because what today stands as two different nations came from the same bare beginnings. Perhaps the biggest integrator of these countries is the common link of Religion. Where on one hand a majority of Chinese citizens follow and are religiously lean towards Buddhism, Gautam Buddha’s journeys of attaining catharsis and spiritual nirvana began right in the midst of Gaya, India. Similar is the case with Taoism, which propagated from China to the Indians. Not only is this a historical similarity that dates back to many, many years, it is a pure link to connect to nations in common yarn.

Since time immemorial our area has been an inspiration for scientific, spiritual and cultural progress for the whole world. From Emperor Ashoka and Tang Dynasty, Hiuen Tsang, Kasyapa Matang, Buddha and Confucius have nurtured this region like the Yangtze and the Ganges rivers.In a way, we were magnets to attract the finest minds and scholars of the world. Coming to some societal and family dynamics, it has always been observed and highlighted that China and India follow a very similar structure of placing domestic bliss above ambition, and mostly consist of deeply connected families with solid foundations. Chinese and Indian society isverysimilar; they are just on different timelines. Listing out the similarities first, Chinese and Indian cultures are the most ancient living cultures in the world and both of them are more family-oriented as compared to western societies. Social functioning is also starkly equivalent in regards to education, where both countries place extremely high priority to their student’s seriously investing time in schools, colleges and universities. Attitudes toward teachers, education and child upbringing are the same. Philosophical and religious ideas match with each other. Beliefs in traditional medicine have been shared. Music is based on pentatonic scales in both countries.

Many visitors from China had talked and written about India in ancient times. That have had been adopted in their art, technology, and philosophy. Hiuen Tsang’s visit to Ancient India is of importance in the history of China-India relations. He was indeed an ancient ambassador of peace between China and India. His praise of Harshavardhana and of the Indian people in his travel accounts deeply influenced Chinese pilgrims. India is much indebted to this Chinese traveler for the valuable accounts he left behind with many details of political, religious, economic and social conditions of those days.

The famous novel ‘The Good Earth’ gives some insight into Chinese culture. The strong family and societal bonds are similar to both nations. In fact, areas of Kolkata and Bihar have indigenous Chinese diaspora that has lived in these areas since time immemorial, participating in promoting local trade and commerce. One of the most revered pilgrimages of Indian culture the Kailash Parvat and Mansarovar Lake lies in China. The most important indicator of twinning cultures lie in the way they treat their guests. Both nations have a rich tradition of making their visitors feel at home and make them enjoy themselves to the fullest, exposing them to everything their country has to offer, from rich cultural heritage to historical monuments. This is most visible in the adapted cuisine of India, which shows deep influences from Chinese flavors. On any given day in an Indian metropolis, foodies are spoiled for choice. There’s now Peruvian cuisine, French patisserie, Mexican tacos, and more. But all these choices haven’t taken away the crowds inside the scores of Chinese restaurants that dot every city, with names likeChina Bowl, China Pearl, Chung Wah, Wangs, or Zhangs. Although India has tweaked the basics to her needs and tastes, the subtle clues nostalgia remains.

China has emerged as a new yoga superpower. A lot of Chinese believe yoga can make them fit, flexible and healthy. It is estimated that there are millions of practitioners in China and over thousands of yoga schools and trainers nationwide. The interactive history that has been shared between China and India for a long time makes it easy for yoga to be understood by China’s vast population. Bollywood movies have managed to win many hearts in China. Aamir Khan has emerged as a superstar in China. The Chinese juggernaut continues to take colossal strides across India. Whether it is mobile phones, Chinese venture or capital investments, their presence cannot be denied. No wonder then that the popular impression at home is that anything imported is by default from China. Owing to the similarity in population and rate of digital penetration, the market potential for both these countries is immense. There is a strong desire to build great businesses and differentiated products.

Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s “Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai” (Indians and Chinese are brothers) is true. A strong India is the best thing that could happen to a rising China and vice versa. India and China are one of the largest and fastest-growing economies of the world. India in the global playground has a rich prologue to speak of. It has emerged from tumultuous times to become a country not to be trifled with. Charting a history that is sporadically dotted with conquests, it is no surprise that we have established a stronghold in every sphere of diplomatic capabilities today. From being the pioneers in biomedical sciences to producing world-renowned sportspersons, scholars, scientists and doctors, India occupies one of the highest pedestals in global framework.

I travel to China frequently and each time I am left inspired by the People of China & I could firmly say that the progress China has made over a period of seventy transforming years is made by the Chinese people through vision, courage, reform and innovation. I have had a deep interest in Chinese civilization since I was a student. China’s spectacular history deeply appealed to me and when I was a student doing research on Asia, I had a dream to visit China in person. That’s the only reason that pushed me to join the domain to facilitate a closer China-India partnership. That’s why my first priority after taking charge as Chairman of CYL was fostering the China-India blend. I visited China for the first time in 2018 and was warmly welcomed and when a Chinese media interviewed me in Shanghai while leaving China, I said sadly: “My heart remains here.” I am always overwhelmed by the hospitality, admiration, and love I receive in China each time by the All-China Youth Federation.

The role of youth in fostering development partnership comes into role as it is only when the youth of the two countries interact, share their opinions, outlooks and aspirations that they can become positive agents of change. The endeavor of the China-India Youth Dialogue and Youth Exchange programs under the aegis of the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China to India with active support and cooperation from the Confederation of Young Leaders is a step in the right direction.

Keeping the similarities aside, India has a lot to learn from China. For example, China has the world’s largest network of Expressways. They have been planned and were constructed as 6–8 lane from the beginning itself. Most of the time they are vertical as they are constructed as long bridges, in Indian terms just like a super long flyover. It is extremely smart since it doesn’t require land acquisition and still fulfills the purpose and doesn’t create a problem with the landowner. China has a strong will to accommodate every single person in it. No matter which city you go to, big or small, metro or normal; you will always find super tall apartment buildings. Again, as in highways, going vertical than horizontal. These are luxurious apartments for the rich class as well as lower-income apartments. Accommodating the world’s most powerful middle class is a daunting task in itself. I personally feel we must facilitate import efficiency from China. In China generally, there are no work timings. It always works according to the tasks, if you finish early, leave early; if you finish late, leave later. Chinese people have the highest standards possible for work ethics.

Both countries have several dialects and languages in them unlike the stereotype that Indians speak Hindi and Chinese mandarin. There is a lot of diversity that exists in both countries. The older generations in both societies are more traditional and orthodox while their younger generation is more accepting and open to new ideas. As the only two large developing countries with over one billion population, China and India have the largest similarities than any other country in the world. All these dimensions help us understand the importance of letting go of our personal differences and work in joint collaboration towards building the 21st century as Asia’s century.