Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined Xuanzang setting his feet in my hometown, Kullu. Never in my wildest dreams did I think of me making it to the land of Xuanzang. It was Chinese and studies in India-China relations that facilitated my understanding not only of Xuanzang but a whole galaxy of Indian and Chinese scholar monks who were responsible for the civilizational dialogue between India and China. It was again the Chinese language that took me to the land of Xuanzang, and it was a logical and conscious decision to trace the footprints of these scholar monks and tens and thousands of unsung brave men who perished or survived along the vast Taklamakan or the mighty seas. Th e heroic deeds of the five Indian doctors, especially Kotnis during the tumultuous times in China, remain examples of supreme sacrifice and the true spirit of India-China friendship and internationalism.
My Tryst with China:our Footprints on the Sands of Time is not just about my personal tryst, but more importantly, it traces all those footprints that vehemently advocated opening of the channels of communion and communications between India and China in the civilizational history of these two countries. Our in the title include all those scholar monks on both sides of the Himalayas during the height of the Buddhist glory and beyond; people like Ji Xianlin, Wu Xiaoling, Jin Kemu, Liu Anwu, Jin Dinghan, Huang Xinchuan, Lin Chengjie, Geng Yinzeng, Xue Keqiao, Wang Shuying, Yu Longyu, Jiang Jingkui, etc. scholars on the Chinese side, and Tagore, Kotnis, P. C. Bagchi, Tan Yunshan, Tan Chung, H. P. Ray, Yap Rahman, Tansen Sen, Madhvi Th ampi and many more on the Indian side who not only have kept the lamp of civilizational dialogue alight but have also kindled the light of reason for such a dialogue in the times of war, barbarity and geopolitics in the hearts and minds of many people on both the sides.
I must acknowledge my gratitude to Professor Jiang Jingkui who has recently painstakingly completed the translation of Sursagar for his valuable suggestions and insights as far as the Chinese title of this book is concerned. Given the scope of my narratives, it wasnt easy to zero in on a title that mirrored the contents holistically. The present title would not have been possible without the thoughtfulness and insights of Professor Jiang who irrespective of post surgery recuperation invited me over to his house for sipping puer tea in his elegantly decorated apartment that exhibits the synthesis of Indian and Chinese cultures. I am also thankful to Professor N. M. Pankaj who suggested a few interesting titles for English and Hindi versions of this memoir. He has been a dear friend and very forthcoming whenever approached for help.I believe during all these years, I have found myself amidst India-China interactions at all levels.
Th ese are extremely important for the following reasons as argued by the doyen of Indology in China, Professor Ji Xianlin. First and foremost, he says that the history of Sino-Indian interaction tells us that our two countries have been engaged in cultural exchanges over the past two thousand years, have learnt from each other, and have developed and enriched each others cultures. Even today we are reaping the benefi ts of this exchange. This sort of exchange is full of advantages rather than disadvantages. Secondly, the history of Sino-Indian cultural exchange tells us that the cultural history of mankind is the creation of all of us; it has never been created by a particular nation or country. Recognition of this fact will bring great benefi ts that can enhance friendship and understanding between the people. Finally, the history of Sino-Indian cultural exchange tells us that the cultures of China and India belong to the oriental culture. He believes that the twenty first century would be the century of oriental culture. It would become the worlds leading culture and would take the human and cultural development to a higher level.1
Precisely because of these views, I believe both India and China need to resuscitate the spirit of civilizational dialogue between them, which undoubtedly encompasses the Silk Route spirit and trans-Himalayan camaraderie between the two.
Finally, yes, there are problems between the two. Th ere is no denying the fact that the security environment between the two have improved immensely in comparison to our relations during the Cold War. We need to do away with the Cold War mentality and be pragmatic while dealing with the sensitive issues between us. We missed at least three opportunities to resolve the border issue including the recent one pointed out by Chinas Special Representative Dai Bingguo in his recent book titled Strategic dialogue: reminiscences of dai Bingguo . Both sides have agreed that the border issues would be a three-stage process first agreeing on the political parameters and guiding principles, then creating a framework for resolution of the border issue, and finally delineation and demarcation of the boundary. According to the special representatives of both the countries, they have submitted their report as regards the second stage. Therefore, it is upon the leadership of the two countries to take a call. Th e third is just a technical stage. I hope the issue is resolved amicably at the earliest so that the real potential of both the countries in various fi elds is realized. Moreover, India-China relationship has gained great importance, given the defi nite power shift in the global political and economic architecture. In this context India and China relationship remains one of the defi ning relationships of the century that will determine the emerging global geopolitical and geo-economics structure. Can India and China bring into play the geo-civilizational paradigm of the yesteryear and brace ourselves for the century of the oriental culture as propounded by Ji Xianlin?