MUMBAI, July 18, 2014 — Asia Society hosted two experts in the fields of economy and policy of Indo-China relations as part of its Breakfast at the Asia Society India Centre (BASIC) series. Girija Pande is the Executive Chairman at Apex Avalon Consulting, Singapore, and Anil K. Gupta is a professor of Strategy and Globalization at the University of Maryland. Together, they have co-authored The Silk Road Rediscovered, a realistic insight into the successes and failures of the biggest bilateral relationship in the world today; a book that presents a potential road-map to how exploiting the alliance can turn India and China into global economic superpowers.

During this interactive discussion the authors reiterated that for both the Asian giants, winning in each others’ markets is essential to gaining a global comparative advantage. Jointly, the authors suggested border disputes have lulled and stagnated the Sino-Indian alliance in the past, but the promise of economic prowess and compatibility can overpower political distress. Interestingly, the authors offered individual anecdotal (and sometimes conflicting) insights that ensured a diversity of opinions. Concerning economics, Gupta cleared some "Indian myths about China" while Pande presented in-depth factual information of the case studies investigated in the book to back up his views of the past and hopes for the future.

Reported by Tarini Ranadive, Intern, Asia Society India Centre

Video: Interview with Anil K. Gupta (16 min., 1 sec.)

This programme was part of our BASIC (Breakfast at Asia Society India Centre) Series, which brings eminent speakers from the fields of Asian business, arts, culture and policy to Asia Society Members and Patrons, and provides a senior-level platform for discussion on issues of current interest affecting Asia and the world.