First India-China Think Tank Forum

The First India-China Think Tank Forum was held in New Delhi on December 9-10, 2016. The forum was jointly organized by the Institute of Chinese Studies, the Indian Council of World Affairs, and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The forum is a bilateral platform established by a Memorandum of Understanding concluded between Ministry of External Affairs, India and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, during the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to China in May 2015.

Under the theme "Towards a Closer India-China Developmental Partnership", the forum carried out in-depth discussion on various issues, including major country relations between India and China, strengthening India-China strategic communication, promoting economic ties, deepening people-to-people cooperation, and regional economic and security architecture. The forum saw participation from prominent strategic thinkers, economists, academics, and social scientists from both countries.

This forum provides an institutional platform for regular and continued exchanges between the think tank communities in the two countries. It creates an enabling framework for a wide cross-section of think tanks to deliberate on issues of significance and mutual interest, and to provide structured advice and recommendations to governments on both sides. Both sides agreed to continue to strengthen the forum.

Discussions were held in the spirit of friendship and openness and contributed to enhancing mutual trust and understanding between the two sides. The participants were unanimous in their view that the India-China relations is one of the key relations of the 21st century, and that in the complex international situation it could play a significant role in bringing stability and contribute to economic development of the Asia-Pacific region.

The second India-China Think Tank Forum will be held in Beijing in 2017.