Strategic Competition with Constrained Cooperation: India–China Relations from a Defence and Security Perspective

Author(s)	Amresh Kumar Yadav
Country	India
Abstract	India and China are major powers engaged in both deep economic exchange and intense strategic rivalry. From a defence and security perspective, their relationship combines fierce competition with limited cooperation. This paper examines historical legacies (especially the 1962 border war) and current developments: ongoing Himalayan standoffs, maritime competition in the Indo-Pacific, power asymmetries, regional ambitions, and defence modernization. It highlights how each side’s strategic posture – strengthening deterrence and forging partnerships – is moderated by mutual economic ties and global responsibilities. The analysis shows that the India–China dynamic today is characterized by strategic competition (at the border and in regional influence) alongside cautious cooperation (trade, multilateral dialogue), which together sustain an uneasy stability without resolving the core rivalry.
Keywords	India–China Relations, Military Modernization, Power Asymmetry, Strategic Competition, Border Disputes, Multilateral Diplomacy, Indo-Pacific Security
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-02
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.82311

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