HPUJ
BOOK REVIEW
The China-India Rivalry in the Globalisation Era
Editor: T.V. Paul
Publisher: Orient BlackSwan, 2019
Reviewed by: Harish K. Thakur
Review
The China-India Rivalry in the Globalisation Era, edited by T.V. Paul, presents a comprehensive and theoretically sophisticated examination of one of the most consequential strategic relationships in contemporary international politics. As China and India continue to emerge as major global powers, their interactions increasingly shape the geopolitical, economic, and security architecture of the twenty-first century. Rather than portraying the bilateral relationship solely through the lens of border disputes and military confrontation, the volume offers a multidimensional framework that integrates economics, strategic studies, international institutions, regional politics, and global governance. According to the reviewer, the edited volume successfully demonstrates that the China–India relationship is best understood as a "managed rivalry," characterised by persistent strategic competition moderated by economic interdependence, diplomatic engagement, nuclear deterrence, and participation in multilateral institutions. This analytical perspective makes the volume highly valuable for scholars, students, and policymakers seeking a nuanced understanding of Sino-Indian relations. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
The volume is organised into five thematic sections—Introduction, Sources, Strategies, Mitigators, and Conclusions—allowing readers to examine the multiple dimensions of the rivalry in a coherent manner. Individual chapters analyse territorial disputes, status competition, strategic culture, balancing behaviour, resource competition, water security, and institutional engagement, moving beyond conventional realist explanations focused exclusively on military conflict. Contributors argue that although territorial disagreements remain important, the rivalry is increasingly shaped by broader geopolitical ambitions, competing visions of international order, power asymmetries, and divergent foreign policy objectives. The reviewer particularly appreciates the volume's ability to combine realist, liberal, and constructivist perspectives, thereby providing a richer theoretical explanation for why India and China continue to cooperate in some areas while competing intensely in others. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Another major strength identified in the review is the book's discussion of globalization as both a mitigating and transformative force in China–India relations. Rather than eliminating strategic rivalry, globalization has created new forms of economic interdependence, institutional cooperation, and diplomatic engagement that reduce the likelihood of direct military confrontation while allowing competition to persist across political, technological, and economic domains. Chapters examining trade, global governance, nuclear deterrence, strategic culture, and balancing strategies illustrate that both countries increasingly pursue calibrated policies combining competition with selective cooperation. The reviewer highlights the contributors' argument that the resilience of bilateral trade, institutional participation through forums such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and mutual interests in reforming global governance contribute to stabilising the relationship despite recurring tensions. This balanced interpretation offers an important alternative to simplistic narratives predicting either inevitable conflict or complete strategic partnership. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
The reviewer concludes that the edited volume represents an outstanding example of collaborative scholarship, maintaining remarkable theoretical coherence despite contributions from multiple authors. Although the book predates the Galwan Valley clashes of 2020, its central concept of "managed rivalry" remains highly relevant for interpreting subsequent developments in China–India relations. The persistence of economic engagement alongside heightened political and military tensions demonstrates the continuing validity of the analytical framework proposed by T.V. Paul and the contributing scholars. By combining rigorous theoretical analysis with detailed empirical case studies, the volume succeeds in explaining the complex interplay between cooperation and competition in Asia's evolving strategic landscape. Consequently, the reviewer recommends the book as an essential reference for researchers, students, and practitioners interested in international relations, Asian geopolitics, strategic studies, and foreign policy analysis. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Conclusion
Harish K. Thakur concludes that The China-India Rivalry in the Globalisation Era makes a significant contribution to the study of contemporary international relations by offering a comprehensive and theoretically grounded understanding of Sino-Indian strategic competition. The edited volume successfully demonstrates that globalization has transformed—but not eliminated—the structural sources of rivalry between the two Asian powers. Instead, economic interdependence, diplomatic engagement, and participation in international institutions have moderated direct confrontation while allowing strategic competition to continue in new forms. The concept of "managed rivalry" provides a valuable analytical framework for understanding both historical developments and emerging geopolitical realities in the Indo-Pacific region. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
The reviewer ultimately recommends the volume as an indispensable resource for students, scholars, policymakers, and researchers working in the fields of international relations, security studies, strategic affairs, and Asian politics. By integrating realist, liberal, and constructivist perspectives with detailed empirical analysis, the book offers a balanced and nuanced interpretation of one of the world's most significant bilateral relationships. Its interdisciplinary approach, methodological coherence, and continued relevance in the post-Galwan geopolitical environment ensure that it remains an important reference for understanding the evolving dynamics of China–India relations and the future of Asian and global governance. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}