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China and India have had an often turbulent relationship. At the state level, strategic and diplomatic relations between the two are fraught with complications, tensions and misgivings that many observers believe are destined to continue for the foreseeable future. The purpose of this paper is to detail the various opportunities for cooperation that stem from the common challenges that China and India face as they continue to develop into major global powers. We argue that the key to successful cooperation will not occur at the intergovernmental level; rather, it will be based upon the building of social and cultural bridges between the Chinese and Indian people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite close geographical proximity and centuries-old ties, the relationship between China and India has been filled with obstacles and stumbling blocks. The majority of academic research and media reports tend to examine relations at the national level, yet cities have become increasingly important due to urbanization and globalization. This paper argues that, through the city platform, India and China can turn potential cooperation into reality. The differences between Chinese and Indian cities beget complementarity that provides great potential for cooperation. Local governments in both China and India have high levels of administrative power in decisionmaking. Cooperation between cities can avoid many obstacles that prevail in national-level cooperation. Local governments will not only be motivated to cooperate, but also can accomplish a great deal in promoting cooperation between the two countries. The conditions for city cooperation are improving. Cities can and should become a key path and a new engine for Sino-Indian cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]