India-China Political and Military Cooperation in the Shadow of Distrust

Abstract

New Delhi and Beijing demonstrate incredible achievements in the economic and military-political spheres, shift the center of global politics to Asia, and have every opportunity to change the balance of power and world order in the medium or long term. Meanwhile, researchers pay little attention to the bilateral interaction of the two Asian giants, focusing more on the confrontation between the China and the US, or consider regional rivalry between India and China, in view of the rapidly developing geopolitical projects of both countries. The military-political relations of the two states, as a rule, are not reflected in the studies, as they are limited due to mutual distrust arising from the Sino-Indian War of 1962. This article is designed to evaluate the current balance of forces, analyze the qualitative components of their military capabilities on land and at sea as well as to identify interaction mechanisms that contribute to leveling the negative perception of each other. The author concludes that in the medium-term China will remain a stronger player in the international arena than India, which seeks to bridge the gap, but does not have the same economic opportunities, and therefore, its position is strengthened mainly at the expense of large allies, such as the USA, Russia, and Japan. At the same time, military doctrines, confidence-building measures as well as awareness of the severe consequences a potential conflict could result in contribute to the strengthening of military-political cooperation between India and China, despite the constant factor of distrust between the two.