India and China are recognized as multiethnic, multilinguistic, multicultural, multireligious countries. However, for many, China is often assumed as a homogeneous society even though China is a diverse country with respect to language, religion, customs and culture. It is true that majority of the population falls under the Han ethnic majority which constitutes approximately 91% of the total population in China yet the rest of the population falls under ethnic minority. Similarly, India is one of the most diverse countries in the world. For instance, Manipur which is considered to be one of the smallest states in India has thirty-four tribes and other ethnic groups. However, the constituent population in other parts of the country varies from state to state where caste-based identities are prominent. Likewise, Yunnan is one of China’s most ethnically diverse provinces. It is a home to twenty-five ethnic minorities Shaoshu Minzu and the ethnic majority the Han.
Thus, this paper seeks to map the broad contours of India and China of cultural diversities and multiculturalism; and the two cases of Manipur and Yunnan are delineated in a comparative framework. Both Manipur and Yunnan are endowed with rich natural and mineral resources, nonetheless, having similar challenges including poverty, underdevelopment, illiteracy, and a growing AIDS problem. In addition, an attempt will be made to critically examine various policies undertaken by both governments of India and China particularly in the field of education for the scheduled tribes and ethnic minorities respectively. Both the governments recognise multiculturalism within the ambit of welfare polices however they are fast promoting the process of globalization. In such circumstances, globalization has contrasting effects where it opens up the prospect of homogeneity, that poses a threat to the culture, language, religion and identity of the minorities.
