China views India as its 'Asian Rival' with an innate ability to counter its hegemonic goals in Asia. Despite these difficulties in India-China relations, there are also many areas of convergence. Discuss.

India-China as Asian Rival. The geopolitical position makes them rivals. They are established in 'Age of uncertainty' and 'Age of uncertainty' (Rajiv Singh). Clashes in Indo-Pacific. China's aggressive dash line approaches & expansionist policies threatens India's advantaged position. Geo-Economic Rivalry. China's debt trap policy/checkbook policy. Hambantota port & Gwadar port with China new. India counters it through Paris like Neighbourhood first. Lending of credits and concessional loans to countries. Strategic & security dimensions: India counters live through various alliances. QUAD, QUDA, Asian NATO as considered by China. Omni-directional foreign policy encouraging ties with USA & Russia at the same time.

India counters it through Paris like Neighbourhood first. Lending of credits and concessional loans to countries. $5bn support to Sri Lanka. $400mn to Maldives for greater male development program. Strategic & security dimensions: India counters live through various alliances. QUAD, QUDA, Asian NATO as considered by China. Omni-directional foreign policy encouraging ties with USA & Russia at the same time. Implementation of development & security. India stops developmental activities with along it faces security threats. Gaming non-state actors used surveillance. Border development. Vibrant village program & Border area development program. However, there are many convergence too.

Trade relations: India-China trade stood at $77bn in 2022. China is India's 2nd largest trading partner after USA. In India imports: selective pharmaceuticals etc. Convergence at multilateral forums: SCO, BRICS, BIMSTEC etc. Some cultural ties like Buddhism and some Indian students in China. Thus India-China share some convergences but recent stand-offs more highlight about divergence. It should be solved by dialogues while maintaining the national interest.

— Anjali Ajay Thakur · AIR 43