India-China strategic relations in the emerging Asian order

India and China, while rising simultaneously as big powers, no doubt, cooperate
on multi-fronts but also appear to be engulfed in the colonial-inherited border
dispute. Sincere efforts have been made to delineate a Line of Actual Control (LAC), but this still remains undefined. As a result, has given rise to a volatile situation, including face-offs, deaths and show of force. India adopted a conciliatory approach, but the year 2017 proved to be a turning point when India started to firm up its stance and indicated to China that it is more of a peer competitor and will not compromise on its territory. This was not only meant for the consumption of the domestic constituency but also to demonstrate that India has the potential to stand up to the Chinese hegemonic overtures and thus place itself so that the regional countries having grievances with China could find India as an alternative partner to rely on. Still engaging China in trade and multilateral forums, India has been exploring several alternative strategies that include joining the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, strengthening bilateral relations with the US, emphasising the centrality of regional institutions such as the ASEAN, and continuing its time-tested friendship with Russia. India intends to pursue these policy postures with the intent to retain its strategic autonomy while engaging with the major powers to fulfil its own ambition of big power in the future; thus, instead of a zero-sum alliance system, it intends to pursue a multipolar-Asia paradigm. This chapter attempts to trace the historical antecedents, divergences and strategic competition between India and China, strategic policy options for India and its ambition to become a sub-super power in the future.