1st Edition

India, China and the Strategic Himalayas

Edited By Sangeeta Thapliyal Copyright 2024

    This book analyses strategic discourse on the Himalayas from the perspective of India’s interests. Home to many communities, cultures, natural resources and political boundaries, it is the geopolitical landscape of the Himalayas between India and China that dominates other narratives and discourses.

    The traditional notion of Himalayas as India’s frontiers and buffer is challenged by China. Despite various mechanisms to address border resolution there are violations and transgressions from China. This book examines India’s responses to the new emerging challenges in the Himalayas. How the statist discourse on strategic interests incorporates people’s discourse. It provides a nuanced understanding of India’s strategic undertakings, diplomatic initiatives and development framework.

    This book will be a valuable addition to existing knowledge on the Himalayas between India and China. Scholars and practitioners interested in International Relations, Strategic Studies, Himalayan Studies and South Asian Studies will find it useful.

     

    List of Figures and Maps

    Acknowledgements

    Contributors

    Introduction

    Sangeeta Thapliyal

    1. Breaching the Himalayan Frontiers: An Adjunct of the China Dream

    Rajiv Narayanan

    2. Gilgit-Baltistan and the Sino-Pak two-front Security Imbroglio for India

    Nishant Bhardwaj

    3. Understanding the Galwan Conflict Through the Lens of Offensive Realism

    Haans J. Freddy

    4. China’s Strategy in the Northeast India

    P.R. Shankar

    5. The “Arunachal” Factor in Sino-Indian Relations

    Nani Bath

    6. Sikkim where India-China Meet: Reflections on Chinese Encroachment

    Ananta Swarup Bijendra De Gurung

    7. China Overrun: The Case of Bhutan

    I.P. Khosla

    8. From Guidance to Consultation: India’s Policy Towards Bhutan

    Mathew Joseph C.

    9. History and Perceptions: India–Nepal Relations

    Sangeeta Thapliyal

    10. The Stability of Instability: Chinese Engagements in Nepal and Implications for India

    Nihar R. Nayak

    11. China’s Upstream Activities: Water Concerns, Tensions and Cooperation

    Amit Ranjan

    Index

    Biography

    Sangeeta Thapliyal is Chairperson at the Centre for Inner Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.