Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Myanmar has long been perceived as a battleground between India and China, by a number of analysts and scholars of international. While there is not an iota of doubt, both countries have been seeking to build strong economic ties and enhance connectivity with the Southeast Asian nation, due to its geographical location and economic potential.

Economically, it is true that in the past two decades, the relationship between China and India has been competitive, with China having made very strong inroads in terms of investment. The presence of other countries like Thailand, Singapore and Japan in Myanmar has also dramatically increased.

There are strong historical and cultural bonds between Myanmar and India. This means that Myanmar is the most important component of India's "Act East Policy." Myanmar is India's only land connection to Southeast Asia, and the India-Myanmar-Thailand highway will soon become operational. India has also been working closely with Myanmar in organizations like the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation and Mekong Ganga Cooperation.

Yet, geographically Myanmar is not just India's gateway to Southeast Asia, but also where India meets China. In a recent interview with India Today, Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy emphatically stated that Myanmar should be perceived not just as a battleground, but as a potential bridge between India and China.

Suu Kyi also said that a better relationship between India and China would also help Myanmar, adding "I believe if we deal honestly and sincerely with both countries, we can be of help with regard to the relationship between both of them."

While some in both India and China may not agree with Suu Kyi's remark, it is a pragmatic approach, taking into account her country's interests. That she is not seeking to cash in on the differences between both countries is also welcome, because trying to fish in troubled waters would ultimately be detrimental to Myanmar itself.

While on certain issues Myanmar may have to take sides, allowing geopolitical rivalries to shape Naypyidaw's relationship with both countries is not a particularly sound approach.

Due to differences over important strategic and economic issues, there is no doubt that some amount of competition between China and India will remain, but there are areas where both are already exploring cooperation.

One good instance is the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Corridor, a key component of the "One Belt, One Road" project. While for a long time, India was apprehensive of the project and its security implications, it has evinced interest of late, and has already begun working on upgrading some important stretches of the route.

The track 2 interaction at the BCIM Forum for Regional Cooperation between scholars from India and China, and the increasing links between Kolkata and Kunming have also gone a long way in removing apprehensions of different stakeholders.

Ashok Kantha, India's Ambassador to China, during a speech at the India-China Economic and Tourism Cooperation Forum in June 2015, stated that "Yunnan and West Bengal are the engines of the (BCIM) corridor."

Apart from the BCIM Corridor, two Indian companies, ONGC Videsh and GAIL India have stakes in A1 and A3 blocks of the Shwe offshore gas field in Myanmar. The two companies are part of the joint venture South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Limited, where CNPC is a majority stakeholder.

It remains to be seen whether India and China can find commonalities, and whether Myanmar can emerge as a gateway. Beijing and New Delhi need to find common ground and capitalize on available opportunities.

The author is a senior research associate with the Jindal School of International Affairs, O.P. Jindal Global University. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn