Drawing on a wide body of literature on international rivalries, this comprehensive and theoretically grounded work explains the origins and evolution of the Sino-Indian rivalry. Contrary to popular belief, the authors argue that the Sino-Indian rivalry started almost immediately after the emergence of the two countries in the global arena. They demonstrate how the rivalry has systemic implications for both Asia and the global order, intertwining the positional and spatial dimensions that lie at the heart of the Sino-Indian relationship. Showing how this rivalry has evolved from the late 1940s to the present day, the essays in this collection underscore its significance for global politics and highlight how the asymmetries between India and China have the potential to escalate conflict in the future.

‘This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the Sino-Indian strategic rivalry. It demonstrates that the rivalry is rooted not simply in a territorial dispute, but also in a larger struggle for influence in the Asia-Pacific region. As the authors explain, this rivalry, though regional in nature, could trigger systemic war.'

S. Paul Kapur - US Naval Postgraduate School

‘Here is an impressive book explaining the positional dimensions of the China-India rivalry, a topic that hitherto has been neglected in the literature. As such the book is a must read for all interested in the larger causes of this enduring rivalry, its implications for theory and policy, especially for balance of power and status competition.'

T.V. Paul - McGill University

‘Ganguly, Pardesi and Thompson have written a timely and thorough analysis of one of the most significant yet understudied rivalries in contemporary international relations. Highly recommended.'

Andrew Scobell - United States Institute of Peace

‘The book is engaging, coherent and compelling. It is highly recommended to both academics and policy-makers, as well as students working on strategic rivalry and China-India relations.’

Amrita Jash Source: International Affairs

‘This important book traces Sino-Indian relations since the 1940s, just before they emerged as new republics on the global landscape. Where India sought to welcome China into the post-colonial order as a major Asian state, Beijing remained somewhat suspicious of New Delhi.’

Manoj Joshi Source: Asian Perspective

‘An incredibly important piece of scholarship that makes contributions to our theoretical and empirical understanding of what is-as one of the endorsements of the book succinctly puts it-one of the ‘most significant yet understudied rivalries in contemporary international relations’ and its implications for the even more consequential rivalry between the United States and a rising and increasingly assertive China. The book is, therefore, a must-read for anyone-student, scholar, or policy practitioner-interested in the challenges confronting the global order in the years to come.’

Mahesh Shankar Source: Asian Perspective

‘Sumit Ganguly et al. The Sino-Indian Rivalry: Implications for Global Order offers a refreshing look at this important bilateral relationship by arguing that their rivalry is as much about prestige and position in the international and regional pecking order as it is about claims over the disputed territories.’

Jingdong Yuan Source: Asian Perspective