AGS Hosts Debate on China and Sino-Indian Relations

AGS's latest Wine and Cheese debate was held on November 9 on the theme: "Coping with China? Indian Security Perceptions of a Rising China." The presentation and discussion were led by Dr. Patrick Bratton, Visiting Professor at AGS in Paris, and Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Diplomacy and Military Studies program at Hawai'i Pacific University. 

The evening started with a presentation by Dr. Bratton about Indian security issues and Sino-Indian relations with regards to the rise of China. For the past decade there has been a growing debate in the Indian security establishment about how to deal with China. Contrary to the early rhetoric about two rising Asian giants (sometimes called "Chindia" in the West) there is now a serious debate in New Delhi about how to "cope" with a China that is both larger and seems to be growing faster than India. There are several unsolved security problems that date back to the early days of independence. Moreover, there are additional complications stemming from Indian internal politics and also how India and China interact with the rest of the international system. There is disagreement within this community about how much of a threat China is and what India should do about it.

Dr. Patrick Bratton's research focuses on Strategic Studies, in particular "coercive diplomacy" and Indian security policy. Dr. Bratton completed his graduate studies in the UK, France, and the US (University of Wales, Aberystwyth; University de Rennes 2; Catholic University of America). He is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and in 2009 was a Visiting International Fellow at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (IDSA) in India. This semester he is a Visiting Professor at AGS in Paris, where he teaches the course on Factors and Theories of Analysis in International Relations and Diplomacy.

Twice a semester, AGS Wine and Cheese debates bring together students, faculty, and other interested guests to discuss a topic of international affairs in a convivial atmosphere around a French wine and cheese buffet. If you are interested in participating in a future AGS Wine and Cheese debate, please email info@ags.edu.

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