Submitted By: Catriona Banks-Orosco

In the coming election year one of the issues that will be hotly debated will be what to do with the border between the US and Mexico. Regardless of personal feelings, the US may want to look abroad at the world’s two fastest growing economies before making its decision.

Many people consider China and India to be business rivals. However, according to a recent article in the Harvard Business Review (Dec. 2007), China + India: The Power of Two, the countries are realizing that they have a lot to offer each other.

Instead of building barriers, a barbed wire fence was removed along Nathu La, a mountain pass that connects the two countries. Trade along this path was a significant factor in the growth of Chinese and Indian civilizations. While removing the fence may have been largely symbolic, the US would be wise to take notice.

In January 2006, the governments of China and India signed an agreement to work together on bids for energy resources. The oil companies in turn signed memorandums of understanding. The joint venture won a 50% stake in a Columbian oil company in 2006. Earlier this year, the two also agreed to work together to acquire oil assets in Venezuela and Angola.

After China and India cut themselves off from each other, the countries evolved in complimentary ways. This has reduced the competitiveness between them and strengthened their ability to work together. In China it makes sense to build manufacturing plants and take advantage of the infrastructure. India has a clear advantage in software development and trains tens of thousands of “technically sophisticated, English-speaking” graduates.

India and China have made it clear that they are ready to work together in some areas. Business leaders that embrace both countries will be able to tap into diverse strengths, just like China and India will do.

It’s interesting to me that many Americans are trying to close our borders to protect us at a time when so much of the world is opening up to the possibilities of technology, creativity and capitalism. India and China “put feeding their millions ahead of border disputes.” It’s estimated that by 2016 India and China will account for close to 40% of world trade, a position similar to where they were 200 years ago.

I can’t help but view the US as a teenager within the context of world history. Our country is still young, and perhaps too proud to consider the lessons that other nations have gone through.