TL;DR
Hu Jintao prioritized expanding economic cooperation with India while seeking stable relations despite unresolved territorial disputes.
Key Points
He actively promoted a ten-pronged strategy for Sino-Indian relations during his November 2006 visit, focusing on comprehensive development and cooperation.
Hu Jintao's government committed to resolving the boundary question through peaceful means while ensuring it did not affect positive bilateral development, as per the 2006 Joint Declaration.
During his May 2010 talks with the Indian President, he urged tapping potential to expand trade and increase cooperation in sectors like finance, agriculture, and technology.
Summary
Hu Jintao, during his tenure, viewed India as a major Asian power and a crucial partner for regional and global stability, emphasizing a "strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity." His approach, particularly evident during his November 2006 state visit, centered on rapidly accelerating economic and trade cooperation, setting ambitious bilateral trade targets, and pursuing joint economic initiatives in areas like technology and infrastructure. This focus on mutual economic benefit was intended to create a foundation that could withstand, though not immediately resolve, long-standing irritants, most significantly the unresolved boundary question.
His strategy involved seeking an early settlement of the border issue through existing mechanisms while simultaneously ensuring differences did not impede cooperation, suggesting a pragmatic separation of security and economic tracks. This posture aimed to build trust and common ground, including in multilateral forums like the WTO and concerning issues like counter-terrorism and energy security. While stressing the importance of stability and shared goals for the developing world, the underlying dynamic acknowledged that economic ties were the dominant, most reliable driver of the relationship, contrasting with India's primary focus on the border resolution.
Key Quotes
We should become good neighbors, friends and partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hu Jintao's main goal was to establish and strengthen a "strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity" with India. According to official statements from his 2006 visit, he sought to deepen all-round cooperation for mutual benefits and win-win results. This effort was largely driven by the opportunities presented by the rapid growth of both Asian nations.
No, Hu Jintao frequently expressed the view that China and India were not rivals or competitors but partners for mutual benefit. This sentiment was highlighted in joint declarations, suggesting that the simultaneous development of both countries would positively influence the world order. However, some analysis noted underlying competition for resources and influence.
Under Hu Jintao, both countries were committed to resolving the boundary question through peaceful means as a strategic objective. However, the resolution remained slow, with both sides agreeing pending a final settlement to maintain peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control as per existing agreements from 1993, 1996, and 2005.
Sources9
An Assessment of President Hu's visit to India
Hu Jintao Attends China-India Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation Summit and Delivers an Important Speech
Joint Declaration by the Republic of India and the People's Republic of China
Hu Jintao Meets with Indian Prime Minister Singh
Hu Jintao Holds Talks with His Indian Counterpart Patil
Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao in India: Perspectives on a Decade of Chinese-Indian Relations (1996-2006)
Hu Jintao's India Visit Boosts Sino-Indian Relations
China and India: Asia's Budding Partnership or Growing Rivalry?
The Visit of Chinese President, Hu Jintao, to India (20 – 23 November 2006)
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.