The Rise and Impact of Chindia

The term "Chindia,"coined by an Indian politician, describes the simultaneous rise of both China and India and its impact on Asia and the world at large.  The term has stimulated debates in both Chinese and Indian academia.  Some maintain that Chindia is primarily concerned with China-India bilateral relations that have witnessed both uneasiness and improvement in the past few years.  Others argue that Chindia should be understood as the combined force of the two developing countries that have their respective resentment against the international system which is dominated by the United States.  U.S. perception of the rise of both China and India is an important factor in the future evolution of U.S.-China-India relations and regional security.   U.S. strategy to bolster its presence in South Asia by developing closer ties with India could make some of the regional issues in Asia even more complex, as demonstrated by the U.S.-India nuclear deal.

Professor Zhao Gancheng presented his views on the Chindia concept, the impact of the rise of China and India on the international system, and China's interests in South Asia and whether they are in conflict with American interests in that region.

Professor Zhao Gancheng
Director of South Asia Studies,
Shanghai Institute for International Studies
and Visiting Fellow, CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies

Discussant:
Ambassador Teresita Schaffer, CSIS Director for South Asia

Moderator:
Ms. Bonnie Glaser
Senior Associate, CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies