China-India Relations: Cooperation between the Two Asian Giants
This project seeks to explore how China and India can avoid or manage conflict and increase cooperation given three fundamental developments confronting them. First, both states are en route to sustained economic growth and as a result will see steady and dramatic increases in their comprehensive national power and ambitions. Secondly, as China and India continue to grow economically, there will be a substantial increase in their demand for vital limited resources, most importantly, food, water, energy, and strategic minerals. Thirdly, with an increase in production and consumption, both countries will strain the environment, nationally and globally, and will face domestic and international calls to deal with environmental challenges including climate change. These three changes will result either in conflict or cooperation. The India-China relationship is influenced not just by the shadow of the future, but also by the shadow of the past and present. In addition, therefore, the project will review their relationship in light of older and more contemporary concerns which could limit cooperation and which could be the cause of further conflict as well.
The project consists of the following components: field research with leading scholars and policy-makers in both countries; a co-authored book, and several op-eds and journal articles in international and regional publications.
In addition, after intensive field work in India and China – consisting of roundtables with the leading scholars/experts and interviews with senior government officials/officers – by the research team led by Professors Huang and Bajpai, CAG will organize a roundtable that will take place at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in January 2012. The dialogue will bring together senior and highly experienced policy experts from China and India. Issues covered will include the strategic security perspectives of India and China, bilateral economic exchange and responses to global economic uncertainties, approaches towards regional hotspots, the prospects for bilateral defence interactions, and joint concerns over maritime security.
