China Studies in India

China studies in India
Amandeep Singh Hanspal

MA Politics (International & Area Studies) MMAJ Academy of International
Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Abstract
This paper aims to understand the present state of area studies with respect to China in India. It traces the
historical trajectory of the focus on Chinese studies in India and looks at the importance of studying China
comprehensively. The paper also highlights the lack of expertise on China in India and the underlying
reasons for the same. Finally, it concludes with recommendations on how to revamp and strengthen area
studies program on China in India.
Keywords
China, Area Studies, Asia, India
Introduction
The late Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is quoted to have said, “You can change friends but
not neighbors.” Although it was attributed towards Pakistan, its profound relevance to India’s biggest
neighbor, China, is far greater. From the days of ‘Hindi-Cheeni bhai-bhai’ to the 1962 drubbing and
subsequently the spectacular rise of China, India and Indians, in general, have been vague and somewhat
indifferent in understanding China comprehensively. Rather than having a nuanced view of China and its
society, culture and state, what we usually see in India are two extreme set of views swinging between
the ‘Asian Century partnership’, ‘Great historical civilizations’ that coexisted peacefully, etc. to the
‘biggest strategic threat’, ‘Middle-kingdom’, ‘Asian hegemon’, etc. side. China today looms larger than
before as one of India’s biggest foreign policy challenges and yet there is an acute shortage of expertise in
India when it comes to studying the Chinese language, culture, history, geography, economy, etc. There is
an urgent need to relook and refine the area studies programs focused on China and address the
shortcomings.
Historical trajectory
Although the first department of Chinese language & culture - the Cheena Bhavana - was setup at the
Visva-Bharati University, Bengal in 1937, the first serious post-independence step towards Chinese area
studies took shape after the 1962 Indo-China war. The war belied PM Nehru’s hopes of India-China
solidarity and showcased how little did India read or understood China. As a result, something that
started as a gathering of people concerned regarding understanding China - the China Study Group - at
Sapru House (Indian Council of World Affairs) in 1969 culminated as the premier think-tank for China
studies in India i.e. Institute of Chinese Studies, that is supported by the Ministry of External Affairs
(MEA). The institute publishes a quarterly journal named China Report that covers inter-related subject
areas - economics, history, international relations, law, politics and sociology.
Present state and recommendations

Besides being India’s largest trading partner, China is increasingly turning into its biggest geopolitical
challenge as well. The two most populous countries not only have an unresolved land boundary issue but
are increasingly competing for influence throughout South Asia, Indian Ocean region and Africa. Instances
like Doklam and the following Wuhan Summit point at reactive and episodic policies on India’s part. India
seems to lack a coherent strategy at the moment to effectively deal with the China challenge. Despite all
this, the Indian governments have mostly been fixated to its much smaller western neighbor, Pakistan,
and have not shown the same amount of enthusiasm while dealing with or seriously studying China.
University/Think-tank Location
Institute of Chinese Studies New Delhi
Institute for Contemporary Chinese Studies, MG University Kerala
Centre for India-China Studies, OP Jindal Global University Delhi NCR
Centre for Chinese Studies, Central University of Gujarat Gujarat
Chennai Centre for China Studies Tamil Nadu
Centre for China Analysis & Strategy New Delhi
Centre for Chinese and South-East Asian Studies, JNU New Delhi
Centre for India-China Cultural Studies, Jadavpur University Bengal
Confucius Institute, University of Mumbai Maharashtra
Bhasa Bhavan, Visva-Bharti Bengal
(Source: Data compiled from university or think-tank websites)
Books and commentary produced on China in India rarely use Chinese language sources and is hardly peer
reviewed by worthy scholars. There are only a handful of think-tanks and universities that have Chinese
area studies program and even fewer if we measure in terms of quality. Perhaps, it is too much to expect
from the already lagging higher education system in India, especially the social sciences. But China is too
important a region to neglect and the Indian government must mobilize adequate resources for its
studies.
Apart from the issue of infrastructure, the existing curricula needs to be redesigned as well with
additional emphasis on emerging areas such as urbanization, climate change, cyber capabilities, etc.
Universities need to collaborate with their Chinese counterparts for more rigorous exchange programs,
field trips, etc. If China shows reticence in this, India should utilize Taiwan as a base for learning Chinese
language and developing a deeper understanding on China. There is also a need to focus on different
ethnicities and regions of China which are strategically important for India such as Xinjiang and Tibet.
Another flaw regarding the China studies programs in India is the excessive concentration of experts in
New Delhi. At a time when different states are also engaging with China and its various provinces, there is
a need to widen the geographical spread of experts. The private business sector in India also needs to
pitch in with resources as it is in their interest also to have experts on Chinese economy and market.
Unfortunately, the private sector has shied away from such endeavors so far. The MEA needs to
demystify and open up more to academia and researchers on China as well and shun the excessive
secrecy and working in silos culture. Besides devoting more resources, the government can help
synchronize Chinese scholars with the private sector as well as help in mushrooming of Centre’s of
excellence on China in various parts of the country.
Conclusion
In an increasingly complex 21st century world in which India aspires to become a major power, it would do
well to pay far greater attention and resources in developing quality areas studies programs especially
China studies program. It is no more a luxury but a necessity to devote energy & resources towards that.
With China flexing its economic, diplomatic and military muscles, India cannot afford to continue with the
dismal state of China studies in India. There is a need to develop a dedicated and larger cadre of Chinese
scholars in India to understand, manage and tackle the multifaceted challenges and opportunities
between the Asian giants.
References
[1]. Shih, Chih-yu, Swaran Singh, Reena Marwah, ed. (2012): “On China by India: From Civilisation to Nation State
Amherst”, New York: Cambria Press.
[2]. Thampi, Madhavi (2006): “A Report and Recommendations”, Workshop to Review China Studies in India, Delhi,
20-21 December.
[3]. Sen, Tansen (2013): “Is there a need for China Studies in India”, EPW, Vol. XIVIII No 29, 20 July.
[4]. Sahni, Varun (2009): “The Fallacies and Flaws of Area Studies in India”, International Studies, Vol. 46: 49.
[5]. Patil, Reshma (2017): “Small-town India is waking up to China, but there's still little understanding of its ways”,
Scroll.in, 24 January, URL: https://scroll.in/article/826860/small-town-india-is-waking-up-to-china-but-theres-still-
little-understanding-of-its-ways
[6]. Jacob, Jabin & Jacob, Happymon (2019): “Understanding China’s Behaviour towards India”, The Wire, 23
March, URL: https://youtu.be/e7rNn0ALe54?t=1390
[7]. “Mission & history”, Institute of Chinese Studies, URL: https://www.icsin.org/mission-history

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Amandeep Singh Hanspal

Present state and recommendations

[7]. “Mission & history”, Institute of Chinese Studies, URL: https://www.icsin.org/mission-history

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