India versus China: Why They Are Not Friends

by Kanti Bajpai

Why have relations between India and China, which\ncomprise nearly forty per cent of the world’s population,\nbeen troubled for over sixty years? A war in 1962 was\nfollowed by decades of uneasy peace, but in recent years\na rising number of serious military confrontations has\nunderlined their huge and growing differences.\nThis book examines these differences in four crucial areas:\ntheir perceptions and prejudices about each other; their\ncontinuing disagreements over the border; their changing\npartnerships with America and Russia; and the growing\npower asymmetry between them, which affects all aspects\nof their relationship. China demands deference as a Great\nPower and the dominant country in Asia, while India\nwants recognition and respect as an equal. With such a\ndeep divide separating the two neighbours, what does the\nfuture hold?\nIn this lucid, informative, and insightful book, a leading\nexpert on the subject decodes the complex history of\nIndia–China relations and argues that the path ahead is a\ndifficult one that could see more military confrontations,\nincluding violent border clashes. Crucial to the relationship\nwill be India’s ability to reduce the enormous gap with\nChina in economic, military, and even soft power.

Genres: China, Politics, India, Nonfiction, History, International Relations

283 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2023

Reviews

[Vineeth Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting read. Simplifies Indo-China relations and brings it down to four major issues. Gives out a detailed analysis and comparison of Comprehensive National Power of the two countries and what India needs to do to bridge the gap. A must read for all China watchers.

[Francesco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This deeply researched, but still easy and entertaining to read, book by my colleague Kanti Bajpai, a renowned scholar of international affairs with great knowledge of India and India-China relations, is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the deep roots of the troubled relationship between the two "giants," how it became so fractious, despite attempts at cooperation, and where it is going (Spoiler alert: not an easy path ahead!). Kanti is organizing the book in four broad areas: Perceptions and Prejudices, Perimeters (borders), Partnerships (changing relationship with the US and Russia), and Power (the growing asymmetry which affects so many aspects of their relationship).

[Vignesh Rajendiran · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is important for us Indians to get a clear understanding of our Neighbor. This book with its simple language helps the general reader to get a basic understanding of the differences between India and China. Bajpai has provided the reader with enough sources for his statements in the book and if interested the reader can delve into a deeper study of our relationship with China.

[rahul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully scripted masterpiece on Dynamics of Sino - Indian Relations… Author gives a wonderful perspective on why India and China are not friends.. summarising those under four unique and distinct heads …. Almost all the arguments given out by the author have been substantiated with facts and figures … A must read for all …. By far one of the best books i have gone through….

[Mayank Dixit · Rating 1 out of 5]

Though with facts but appears biased. The author describes development during Nehru era in details and skips every other PM. In Chapter 4 author appears to vent his anger while comparing India and China. Precisely everything about India is bad and everything is good about the other nation. Is it?

[Sohail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scholarly written with a lots of data on comparison of two great powers. The author very easily skimmed through the different challenges world particularly India will be facing to tackle the great rise of 'Dragon'.

[Gaurav Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed account and framework of factors that determines India China mistrust among each other and their relative power assessment.

[Yudi Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting point of view. Great narration

[Thea aka Diya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a terrific account

[Uzair Qadri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is a perspicacious reader of India-China. Brilliant book.

[Ajitabh Pandey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative book on the India-China issue in the subcontinent. The author has covered his views in this book and the matter covered indicates deep research and knowledge on the subject.

Those who are looking for a chronological cover on the topic will be disappointed. The book has been categorized into the broad categories of Perceptions, Perimeters, Partnerships and Power. In each of these categories, the author compare the two countries and shares his conclusion as to why these two countries are not friends.

[Prateesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a brilliantly written book on the subject. Generally the books are limited to the historical events and phenomena but Bajpai offers an entirely new lens to visualise India China relations. Not just that, the book goes a step ahead and prescribes how the nations should/would move in the future. It also reflects deeply on the Indian society and polity, apart from economy, and provides a not-so-easy solution if we want to match China.

Overall, a very lucid, easy to understand book which does justice to the subject.

[Asang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kanti Bajpai has remarkable clarity in his thinking - which naturally reflects in his writing. The book is engrossing and dispassionately written without any bias. It helped my understanding of China as well as India especially from a historical perespective.

[Bredo Erichsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read!