Publications

A dangerous competition is taking place between China and India. Four primary contentious issues and protracted conflicts dominate today’s competitive and uncooperative relations between India and China: unresolved territorial conflicts in the Himalayas, China’s close relations with Pakistan and its military assistance, China’s activities in the Indian Ocean, especially the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the New Silk Road, and both countries’ far-reaching and competitive global ambitions. 

The two countries are engaged in fierce competition, and the present trend indicates that they are on a collision course. Could this course lead to war? The relationship was not always so problematic, but the times of brotherly relations are long gone. China cooperates with India in some forums but has consistently opposed India’s aspiration to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. China’s current drive for expansion, coupled with its forceful and assertive foreign policy approach makes it a difficult partner. The growing military power of China represents a challenge to India, although India also invests heavily in its armed forces, including nuclear weapons. India is an attractive strategic partner in the global confrontation between the West and China. However, India’s democracy is under threat, and its government does not simply want to join the Western camp. It pursues a policy of multiple alliances, which is consistent with India’s traditional policy of non-alignment. Both countries pursue a geopolitical strategy in Asia, and their global aspirations and visions are at odds with each other. This puts them on a potential collision course.

To manage this crisis, both governments should seek to deescalate by promoting regular communications and refrain from further increasing their armed forces and reinforcing their military infrastructure, particularly in the contested territories.