India-China Relations: Giants Stir, Cooperate and Compete
Abstract
India and China the world s two oldest civilization-states, once great powers and now the most populous countries are back as claimants to preeminence in Asia and the world. Both are heavily engaged in the global economy and possess nuclear powers with expanding military capabilities to match their growing ambitions. They also have a long history of bitter rivalry and an unresolved border dispute that erupted in war. Only during the last three years have India and China begun to shed their wariness toward each other by initiating measures to stabilize their relationship, including regular high-level visits. The rapprochement is based on a mutual need to focus on social and political stability, and strong economic growth and a sense of security, so each can avoid the perils of stagnation or decline. The incipient Sino-Indian entente has prompted some to argue that it has the potential to radically alter India s and China s security environment and restructure Asian geopolitics. Long-time observers of India-China relations, however, maintain that India- China ties remain fragile and as vulnerable as ever to sudden deterioration as a result of misperceptions, unrealistic expectations, accidents, and eruption of unresolved issues. Internal issues of stability and the external overlapping spheres of influence forestall the chances for a genuine Sino-Indian rapprochement. Indeed, the issues that bind the two countries are also the issues that divide them and fuel their rivalry. With their ever-expanding economies and widening geopolitical horizons, the bilateral relationship between the two rising Asian giants could be characterized more by competition than cooperation. As India and China proceed simultaneously on their relative power trajectories, geopolitical equations and power relations in Asia are bound to undergo significant realignment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA627492
Entities
People
- Mohan Malik
Organizations
- Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies