Beyond Asymmetry: the Changing Face of Sino-Indian Diplomatic, Security and Economic Relations (1950s-2000s)

China and India are two countries that had been in the positions of ally and rival in modern history. After the Cold War, there was a change in the relationship between China and India. India, being one of the important neighboring countries of China, its diplomatic and military strategy holds the key to China's security in its western border and has great impact on China's foreign policy. The main focus of my dissertation is the asymmetrical relationship between China and India from 1950s to 2000s through synthesis studies of the political, economic, and security connections between the two countries. This research analyzes the impact of the structural change in South Asian regional politics on both China and India. The dissertation examines the constraints derived from the asymmetrical relationship and ways to improve cooperation of the two countries. The main contributions of this dissertation are as follows: Firstly, my thesis analyzes the development of Sino-India relations from diplomacy, economy and security perspectives since the Cold War. I study China and India's border dispute in the past and India's rapid economic development in recent years and how the economic development of both countries changes the Sino-India relations. Studying the asymmetrical relations of China and India, I argued that the Sino-India economic trade cooperation and its link to China's economic developing strategy and political diplomatic strategy are two significant factors to the bilateral relationship of the two countries. Secondly, I argue that the foreign policy adopted by the regional powers in South Asia and the change of South-Asia's political structure have great impact on Sino-India relations and the security of China. This study offers valuable references to India's security policy and China's strategy on its western boundary in the present era