CHINA-SOUTH ASIA COOPERATION: CSOS IN PERSPECTIVE

This article provides a perspective on the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in fostering cooperation between China and the countries of South Asia. It argues that while the relationship has been traditionally dominated by state-to-state interactions, there is a growing and important role for non-state actors in building bridges between the societies. The study examines the potential for cooperation among CSOs in a variety of areas, such as environmental protection, poverty alleviation, and cultural exchange. The research explores the different nature of civil society in China and in the more open and pluralistic societies of South Asia, and it analyzes the challenges and opportunities for building trust and collaboration between them. The paper posits that CSO-led cooperation can add a vital "people-to-people" dimension to the relationship, complementing the official diplomatic and economic ties. The analysis concludes by calling for the creation of new platforms and mechanisms to facilitate and support greater engagement between the civil societies of China and South Asia.

The rapidly expanding relationship between China and South Asia has, for the most part, been a story of high-level diplomacy and large-scale economic projects. This paper shifts the focus to a less-explored but increasingly important dimension: the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The study begins by arguing that a sustainable and resilient long-term relationship requires more than just agreements between governments; it needs a foundation of mutual understanding and trust at the societal level. The core of the article is an exploration of the potential areas for CSO-to-CSO cooperation. It discusses the scope for joint work on transboundary environmental issues, such as the management of the Himalayan ecosystem. It also explores the potential for exchanges of knowledge and best practices in the field of poverty reduction, where both China and the countries of South Asia have a wealth of experience. The paper also provides a realistic assessment of the significant challenges to this cooperation. It highlights the very different political environments in which CSOs operate in China, where they are closely supervised by the state, and in the democratic countries of South Asia, where they are often more independent and critical. The findings suggest that building effective partnerships will require a patient and long-term effort to overcome these differences and to find areas of common ground. The paper concludes by advocating for the creation of a "China-South Asia Civil Society Dialogue" to serve as a dedicated platform for fostering these crucial people-to-people ties.