 China and India are the most populous countries in the world, with well over a billion people each, and barriers to their mutual isolation are coming down as China races to develop and hold on to Tibet, meanwhile India is countering with its own policies to hold on to underdeveloped fringe areas, especially the Northeast and Himalayan areas.Additionally the developments in neighboring countries, such as the political and economic opening up of Myanmar, are sparking ideas regarding regional connectivity.China is seen to assert its global leadership.