Geopolitics of Development: Opportunities for China and India

China’ s new Silk Roads, formally known as the ‘Silk Road Economic Belt’ and the ‘21st Century Maritime Silk Road’, are not only aimed at economic development through better infrastructure and connectivity but also seek to develop a philosophy of cultural inclusiveness. China’s win-win slogan captures this idea and represents an ‘infinite game’ rather than a ‘finite one’. India, for its part, is keen to support connectivity through consultative processes, and commonly agreed international norms, rules and practices. This is not the first time the two have an opportunity to collaborate on a higher strategic level. Indeed, the new Silk Roads may well lead to a revival of the Bandung Spirit of 1955, when there was hope for the future of developing countries to make a difference to the political, cultural and economic life of the planet. If the new Silk Roads can continue this project within 21st century conditions, then the vast region through which the Silk Roads traverse need not replicate the 19th century geopolitics of competition among great powers. They may well usher the way to a more productive geopolitics, one which addresses the needs of people and not only great powers. India and China were major contributors to the Bandung Spirit, and can continue once again in seeking to advance an ethos of mutual help in achieving crucial development objectives. They need not compete for narrow national interests when the logic of development calls for collaborative efforts.