The Select Documents on India-China Relations: Politics of Resources, Identity and Authority (Vol. 1)

About the Book

The book The Select Documents on 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 the Introduction of the 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.

All the documents related to India-China relations have been arranged in chronological order beginning from 1954 to establish the direction of relation between the two countries. Three documents of National Intelligence Estimates of the United States have also been added to show how the world is concerned regarding India-China conflicts.

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.