India-China Relations : An Agenda for Asian Century is based on revised, updated and edited papers submitted at a two-day national seminar organized by VPM’s Centre for International Studies (Regd) in March 2006. It is the belief of the organizers that sound bilateral relations can best be promoted, particularly when there are contentious issues among them based on historic past, by initially focusing on low political but highly people oriented issues and later move to resolve nationally emotive high political issues.
In the area of low politics, R.K. Mishra and D.R. Arjun Rao discuss economic reforms in China with reference to privatization of public enterprises, Sudha Mohan looks at urbanization in India and China comparatively while analyzing its impact on these two Asian giants emergence as major powers and also suggests remedial measures. Avinash Kollhe has taken up a study of Muslims as minorities in India and China.
Though it is easy to see bilateral relations in a bifocal framework, there is always a grey area between low and high politics; and India-China relations are no exception. Within grey area, P.M. Kamath in his analysis of Sino-Indian doctrine of No First Use of Nuclear weapons convincingly shows it as a doctrine of peace; therefore wants two Asian nations to initiate a formal understanding on NGU. Geetha Reddy and Ajay Babu Gangidi see opportunities as well as conflicts in India-China energy initiatives. Raj Kumar Kothari examines Regional Disparity as a factor in Sino-Indian relations. B.N. Mehrish finds avenues for two nations under study, to find opportunities to cooperate despite their concern on various issues like human rights and reforming the UN.
Three authors have discussed issues of high politics that causes conflicts between democratic India and capitalistic-communist one arty ruled China. In his keynote address, Subramanian Swamy postulates a strategic partnership between India and China for economic benefits, global influence and enhancement of national security. Ramesh Babu analyses emerging multipolar world where in India and China would play their legitimate roles. E. D’Souza undertakes in his paper a SWOT analysis of armed forces of India and China. V. Balachaderan in his valedictory address reflects on impediments on India and China together making twenty-first century as an Asian century. Post-script by the editor reflects on continuous controversies between India and China, such as on status of Kashmir, military-to-military relations. It is timely book that should be useful to all those interested on India and China.
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