Madras Day 2025: Examining Chennai’s Ties with China

Swift Summary

• Vellayan Subbiah of the Murugappa group, at the Madras Chamber of Commerce AGM, highlighted China’s economic advancements and India’s challenges in competing with China.
• Past relations between southern India and China trace back centuries, including cultural exchanges like those involving Bodhidharma in the 6th century CE and Xuanzang’s visit to Kanchi during the 7th century CE.
• Trade connections flourished during Pallava and Chola periods, with embassies sent to China. Colonial records show Madras as a hub for Chinese goods like copper, sugar (called ‘chini’), zinc (tutenag), etc.
• Tensions arose historically through incidents such as fake currency circulation from China in 18th-century Madras. The First Opium War saw Indian soldiers deployed by Britain in Canton and Nanking.
• the enduring influence remains evident through Chennai landmarks like “China Bazaar,” where Chinese dentists settled from the 1930s onward.Thes communities even contributed to India’s War Fund during the Sino-Indian War of 1962.
• Modern business ties exist despite geopolitical conflicts-Sundram Fasteners became India’s first engineering company to open a manufacturing plant in Zhejiang Province (2004) and continues operating successfully.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The long history of Indo-Chinese interactions reflects a dynamic interplay of culture, commerce, conflict, and collaboration. Historical exchanges-from cultural milestones such as Xuanzang’s travels to robust trade ties during pre-colonial periods-underline enduring connections between these ancient civilizations beyond contemporary narratives dominated by border disputes.

While modern relations are shaped by strategic competition bolstered by economic divergences highlighted at present-day forums like industry AGMs, examples such as Sundram Fasteners’ venture underscore mutual opportunities that persist amidst differences. For policymakers, rooting actionable strategies in historical lessons on trade-driven collaborations may offer pathways forward without ignoring necessary defense postures given past tensions.

Read More: [Link unavailable]