China’s Power and the Responsibility of a Great Neighbour: Why India–China Border Issues Need a Big Heart, Strategic Patience and a Peaceful Settlement
China’s Power and the Responsibility of a Great Neighbour: Why India–China Border Issues Need a Big Heart, Strategic Patience and a Peaceful Settlement The India–China relationship is one of the most consequential relationships in Asia. Two ancient civilizations, two vast populations and two major Asian powers share a long and difficult Himalayan frontier. Their relationship contains cooperation, competition, economic interdependence, strategic mistrust and an unresolved boundary question. China possesses greater overall economic and military capabilities than India in several important dimensions. But power is not measured only by the ability to deploy soldiers, build roads or accumulate weapons. The deeper test of great power is how responsibly that power is used. A powerful country has greater capacity to absorb temporary disagreements, show restraint and create political space for compromise. For that reason, if China sees itself as a major power with an important role in Asia, it ...