The Sino-Indian Rivalry
Implications for Global Order

Draws on theoretical literature on international rivalries to explain the origins and evolution of the Sino-Indian rivalry.

Šumit Ganguly (Author), Manjeet S. Pardesi (Author), William R. Thompson (Author)

9781009193528, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 29 June 2023

262 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.4 cm, 0.38 kg

'Ganguly, Pardesi and Thompson have written a timely and thorough analysis of one of the most significant yet understudied rivalries in contemporary international relations. Highly recommended.' Andrew Scobell, United States Institute of Peace

Drawing on a wide body of literature on international rivalries, this comprehensive and theoretically grounded work explains the origins and evolution of the Sino-Indian rivalry. Contrary to popular belief, the authors argue that the Sino-Indian rivalry started almost immediately after the emergence of the two countries in the global arena. They demonstrate how the rivalry has systemic implications for both Asia and the global order, intertwining the positional and spatial dimensions that lie at the heart of the Sino-Indian relationship. Showing how this rivalry has evolved from the late 1940s to the present day, the essays in this collection underscore its significance for global politics and highlight how the asymmetries between India and China have the potential to escalate conflict in the future.

Part I: 1. Introduction
2. The Sino-Indian rivalry: spatial and positional contestation
Part II. Spatial and Positional Considerations and Violence: 3. The Sino-Indian rivalry: the positional dimension (1940s–1950s)
4. Positional issues and the 1962 Sino-Indian War
Part III. The Evolution of the Rivalry: 5. Crises in Sino-Indian relations
6. Asymmetries and rivalry: economic, nuclear, naval
Part IV. Interconnected Rivalries and Systemic Considerations: 7. The emergence of a triadic rivalry
8. The Sino-Indian rivalry in regional and global context
Part V: 9. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: International relations [JPS]