How Sino-Indian cooperation can help Bay of Bengal prosper

Effective institutions often outweigh geography in economic development, as exemplified by Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Both economies have also struck a deft balance in their relations with great powers. Similarly, instead of being Balkanised into spheres of influence, the Bay of Bengal could unlock its potential through effective Sino-Indian collaboration.

Given the globalisation of supply chains, international collaboration is critical for advanced manufacturing.

12:53

‘Overtaking on a bend’: how China’s EV industry charged ahead to dominate the global market

Beyond economic development, many challenges facing humanity demand international collaboration. Although it was briefly overshadowed by Covid-19, tuberculosis remains the most deadly infectious disease, claiming 1.3 million lives in 2022.

Poverty, which manifests itself in hunger and overcrowded living conditions, is a top risk factor for TB. Child malnutrition remains a key challenge in South Asia. India may soon have a larger and younger working-age population than China, but its people can only develop into productive workers if properly nourished.

Proper nutrition in the first 1,000 days from conception is crucial for a child’s cognitive development. In India, although the percentage of children who are stunted has fallen from 50 to 32 per cent this century, more progress is needed.

Chinese children have seen significant improvements in this regard, and are converging with their American peers. Whether it is sharing information on healthy dietary habits or supplying cost-effective iron supplements, China can help strengthen the human capital of its Asian brothers.

China’s successful economic reforms were built on a foundation of universal primary