Research On China-Indian Relation From The Perspective Of National Identity

As two ancient cultural states in the world and two adjoined countries with great power, China and Indian play important roles in world pattern. The China - Indian relation is also one of the most important periphery relations for both India and China. Since the setting– up of foreign affairs between two countries in 1950s, during the primary period they continued the traditional friendship that existed for more than two thousand years, and five- principles for peaceful coexistence proposed by two countries has become the criteria on dealing with state relation. But, since 1960s, the relation between them became to be bad, especially after China– Indian border war in 1962. During this period, both of them put the relation in long cold state, mutually distrusted, and what's more, they regarded the other part as enemy. Until at the end of 1970s, both countries began to contact each other and the deadlock was broken. The mutual visits between leaders in two countries accelerate the melting of the barrier between two countries, thus turning the enemy relation into a constructive partner one that is further escalated into strategic partner relation. All this indicates that, the China - Indian relation has stepped into a normal orbit that is a base for planting a good outer–side environment for development and abrupt rising in two countries. But at the same time it is needed to emphasize on that, there exist dispute of territory and mutual trusting between two countries and it is still a miracle how the China– Indian relation develops in twenty– first century.It provides a new theoretical model for rethinking the development of two countries'relation from the perspective of national identity theory of constructivism. The series of evolution arising in China– Indian relation can be explained properly from the angle of this theory. First, in 1950s the set-up and development of good relationship is decided by the"friend"identity constructed by two countries. Second, the long deadlock in 1960s and 1970s is decided by"enemy"identity constructed by two countries. And last, the improvement and development of common state relation is decided by"partner"identity. So, national identity acts an important role during the evolution of two countries'relation. This theory gives an overall and dynamic explanation on development process of China– Indian relation.Finally, in this dissertation, the"friend"identity of"harmonious mutual coexistence"is constructed on the presupposition of national identity theory. The"friend"identity with new connotation is constructed from the new theories of"peaceful coexistence"and"harmonious world", thus to build up and develop boundary good relation and further to push forward the long, constructive and cooperative relation.