A review of the existing literature on the China-India comparative theme conveys the distinct impression that the literature largely projects China and India as intrinsically competitive entities. While much has been written on where and why China and India are contesting, particularly from a political sense, very little attention has been devoted to mutual collaboration, whether existing or potential. Such possibilities are at their greatest in economics, which will dominate the future China-India relationship.
This book explores Sino-Indian ties from a comparative economic perspective and argues that it is erroneous to visualise the ties either from exclusively competitive or collaborative perspectives. The future relationship between the two countries will be characterised simultaneously by two ‘C’s: competition and collaboration, which are both linked to common challenges facing them. Arguing that while competition in the economic sphere is inevitable, given their size and aspirations, the book contends that negative externalities from competition will encourage both countries to collaborate and expand the scope of such collaboration. The book's refreshing angle makes it a must-read for those interested in Sino-Indian relationship.