Contextualising India–China Economic Interactions

In international relations theory, ­India–China relations are looked at in a prism of “complex interdependence” (Holslag 2009), giving primacy to econo­mics or economic relations in the conduct of interstate politics. It is akin to “antagonistic interdependence” (Tay 2010) involving cooperation, competition, and conflict. Therefore, India–­China economic relations reflect as a microcosm of multilayered interactions bet­ween the two neighbours. From being two of the most diverse and populous states with different political systems, both countries seek to reshape the ­nature of geopolitics in global and regi­onal domains. The two giants’ relations resonate with these political, security, and economic aspirations even at the bil­ateral level. Indeed, evidence of this engagement can be seen in the robust spurt of trade flows between the two countries following the June 2020 border clash in Ladakh. The book Tailspin: The Politics of India-China Economic Rel­ations—a 16-chapter edited volume arr­anged thematically—discusses India–China economic interactions by analysing political landscapes and competitive geopolitics; China’s domestic political and economic priorities; and comparative analyses of bilateral, regional, and global economic issues. The book brings together researchers representing diff­erent institutions and academic training to help understand the politics shaping the tango between the two Asian giants in the contemporary economic landscape.

India–China (Mis)understanding