Paper
Lora Saalman
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Source: Getty
In The Media
Three Dimensionality in Chinese Views on India and Space
China’s perception of India’s military modernization and space capabilities has evolved over recent years, and growing bilateral strains demonstrate the need for collaborative measures to reduce tensions and clarify national policies.
By Lora Saalman
Published on Feb 4, 2011
Source: James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies
China is increasingly paying attention to India’s military modernization and space capabilities. Carnegie’s Lora Saalman combed archives of key Chinese military, international relations, science, and security journals for articles referencing India, tracking changes in the depth and frequency with which they discuss India. She noticed five trends reflected in the way that prominent international relations journals describe China, which she presented at a luncheon seminar at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. Increasingly, articles:
- Consider India’s military modernization;
- Deal separately with India and Pakistan;
- Provide in-depth analysis of Indian military equipment and systems;
- Compare Chinese and Indian developments and the resultant implications for China;
- Discuss India in relation to China’s military modernization.
Saalman also interviewed Chinese and Indian officials and analysts. She noted that many within China were particularly concerned about creating an enduring stability and cooperation with India, a perspective that was less pronounced in India and even scarcer in journal articles. Saalman advocated collaborative measures to reduce the perception of bilateral threats, including the collaborative composition of a glossary to reduce the notorious ambiguity in space weapons terms. She also suggested that India and China develop Codes of Conduct to better align their policies on space and their border.
About the Author
Lora Saalman
Former Nonresident Associate, Nuclear Policy Program
Saalman was a nonresident associate in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Her research focuses on China’s nuclear and strategic policies toward India, Russia, and arms control.
- Balancing Chinese Interests on North Korea and Iran
- Why Beijing Stands by PyongyangIn The Media
Lora Saalman
Recent Work
Carnegie India does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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