China, India and the potential for armed conflict in South East Asia

Master's thesis China, India and the armed conflict potential in South East Asia is concerned with the current relations of mentioned countries and is trying to figure out, if an outburst of a military conflict between them could occur or whether they will rather cooperate. The thesis is based on the notion that these two world giants in the terms of number of inhabitants, area and even a GDP volume have an unresolved border dispute, ever since the India reached independence. Their mutual border has never been officially demarcated. The small skirmishes between the border patrols of both states are uncountable. In addition, in 1962 they waged a war against each other, which China won in very decisive manner. Both states have been disputing which side caused this conflict till today. Rising economic power of both states currently, together with supposed arming, development of military rocket and submarine technology capable to carry nuclear warheads and establishment of naval bases by China in the proximity of India could create a really effervescent atmosphere in the area. The thesis is divided into six chapters. First chapter introduces the topic. Second chapter establishes the theoretic framework, which is underpinning the research. The other chapters are empirical. The main areas of the analysis..