This book offers an empirical comparison of Chinese and Indian international strategic behavior. It is the first study of its kind, filling an important gap in the literature on rising Indian and Chinese power and American interests in Asia. The book creates a framework for the systematic and objective assessment of Chinese and Indian strategic behavior in four areas: (1) strategic culture; (2) foreign policy and use of force; (3) military modernization (including defense spending, military doctrine and force modernization); and (4) economic strategies (including international trade and energy competition). The utility of democratic peace theory in predicting Chinese and Indian behavior is also examined. The findings challenge many assumptions underpinning Western expectations of China and India.

‘This fascinating book provides a needed corrective to the all-too-common view in Washington that China is simply a threat and India a reliable ally. Gilboy and Heginbotham show that both states pose security challenges, albeit of different kinds. A realistic understanding of Chinese and Indian international strategic behavior has to be the starting point for a wise U.S. policy towards Asia.'

Robert J. Art - Brandeis University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology

‘At last we have a rigorous and systematic comparison of modern Chinese and Indian defense and security policies and structures. As such, it is an invaluable resource for understanding Asia's strategic destiny.'

Stephen P. Cohen - Brookings Institution

‘This is a well-written, thoroughly researched, and erudite comparison of Indian and Chinese security doctrine and practice. The book shows that the growing view in the United States of China as an implacable adversary and India as a natural ally is simplistic and naive. One can only hope that U.S. policy makers are willing to make the effort to read through this very enlightening book.'

Alistair Ian Johnston - Harvard University

‘Chinese and Indian Strategic Behavior is a seminal comparative treatment of the international behavior of Asia's rising powers, China and India, and their implications for the United States. This book provides a solid foundation for objective assessment of the strategic role to be played by Beijing and New Delhi.'

Admiral Timothy J. Keating - Former Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command

‘This systematic and well-researched analysis makes a major contribution to American foreign policy discourse, bringing an insightful comparative perspective to bear in the perennial U.S. controversy about China's rise and at the same time providing a welcome stimulus to the debate the United States should have about India's growing power.'

Alice Lyman Miller - Stanford University

'George Gilboy and Eric Heginbotham’s excellent book introduces a fresh breeze of clear thinking and the illumination of careful factual research … Their work is essential reading for anyone who wants a serious understanding of China’s international strategy, military doctrine and capacity, and potential impact on the global power balance.'

Arthur Kroeber Source: China Economic Quarterly

'Gilboy and Heginbotham deliver a thoroughly researched and compelling comparison of Chinese and Indian strategic behaviour, and also provide another 'way ahead for US policy' approach.'

Source: RUSI Journal