India-China Relations: Politics of Resources, Identity and Authority

The book India-China Relations: Politics of Resources, Identity and Authority draws on evidence from interactions between India and China over the years to make an empirical case for the existence and impact of asymmetrical perceptions of threat and friendship between the two countries. The major issues of India-China relations, including the boundary problem, the nuclear issue, the Tibet issue, water diplomacy, regional competition and cooperation, and India-China relations in the global context, have been examined in this book. The book highlights the asymmetry of the threat perceptions between India and China and has explained the interactions of India-China relations. The India-China relations are constrained by the asymmetry between their threat perceptions. Due to the asymmetry in perceptions of threat, India has tried to reduce the sense of insecurity by adopting some countermeasures, such as developing nuclear weapons, allying with other countries, and undermining China’s influence. However, India is also very cautious and avoids angering China. On the other hand, China is in favour of the status quo, and feels no urgent need to sort out the boundary disputes. China has ignored the asymmetry and does not want to share India’s expectations and concerns. Thus, the asymmetry has made it difficult for India and China to forge shared knowledge and to set a common agenda around which their expectations could converge.
The book will be useful to the students and researchers of Political Science and International Relations. It will also be useful to all those who are interested and want to explore India-China relations.