STUDYING CHINA IN INDIA An Historical Overview

Indian approaches to Chinese studies can be broadly classified into three main perspectives. The first is the Buddhist intellectual tradition, brought to light through the works of Western scholars that created the basis for a common civilization and historical perspective for Sino-Indian relations. The second perspective takes as its basis the common anti-colonial struggles of the late eighteenth and nineteenth century. This created common bonds of solidarity and intellectual calls for Asian civilizations to find common intellectual heritage against the dominant narratives privileging western civilization and intellectual history. The first two perspectives anchor a positive view of China in India and have exercised an influence on Chinese studies as the article will show by highlighting the work of select intellectuals in the field. The final perspective can be classified as a security and strategic perspective, shaped by the evolution of Sino-Indian relations since 1962 and continuing to the present. These see China as a direct security threat and push a narrative of caution and strategic analysis of China instead of one that emphasizes civilization unity and Asian solidarity.