Paper short abstract:

The paper contributes to the understanding Trans-Himalayan Cooperation. Attitudes are identified with two strategies (S.). A centralized S. focused on diplomatic negotiation on infrastructures and/or a decentralized S. based on sectoral proximity connections that promotes regional development.

Paper long abstract:

The Himalayas are between the two most prominent economic spaces of the XXI century, India and China. Since ever this natural barrier between rich territories and remarkable civilizations, fed them with water and soil, filtered the passage for silk and spices, and - with the active testimony of local settlers - contributed to the humans' communication or muteness among themselves and between themselves and the Sky. The Himalayas are the wall that permits the door, the barrier that requires the link while providing the opportunity for alternative passages through the sea and the air; they can also be the bases of mountain centralities testified by cities like Lhasa or countries like Nepal. Somehow these mountains guarantee the identity of civilizations moulded by the relations to the otherness.

Since ever those places and passages were shaped by nature, marginally managed by nearby settlers and remote civilizations. Nevertheless, globalization and technology are changing the capacity of those nearby and remote decisions makers, and necessarily their thoughts over those passages and places. What are the main attitudes and values on Trans-Himalayan Cooperation? What are the common values and attitudes that can be the bases for effective cooperation and sustained development?

The aim of the paper is to understand what will be the attitudes and values on Trans-Himalayan Cooperation and to undertake an analysis to assess the main attitudes regarding cooperation and to identify the main common attitudes and values that can guide effective cooperation.