The past, prospects and problems of forming the ‘Chindia’ alliance

Abstract

The rise of China and India has been hailed as a transformative factor in reshaping the global order. When it comes to perspectives of China–India relations, the ‘Chindia’ school—the term being a portmanteau of China and India—presents a positive outlook compared to the prevailing geopolitical one. Despite the bitter experiences between China and India, this school of thought does not subscribe to an inevitable conflict and concludes that these two rising powers will stand together in international society as a powerful combination. For a better understanding on the subject, the paper analyses the possibility and problems of forming a Chindia alliance, suggesting that even though it appears to be an unlikely scenario, a ‘Chindia-plus’ formula could be emerging as an alternative