Decoding China: Inside India’s Search for Clarity Amid Power and Paradox

Decoding China: Hard Perspectives from India

Edied by Ashok K. Kantha

Genre: Geopolitics and International Relations

Published by Boomsbury India

Pages: 426

MRP: Rs. 899/-

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3WaQlJu

Thank you Bloomsbury India for a review copy of the book.

Decoding China: Hard Perspectives from India is a new edited volume (Bloomsbury, Aug. 2025) that tackles the question of China’s rise from an Indian strategic vantage. The book brings together 21 essays by Indian diplomats, military officers and China scholars. These contributors offer rigorous, evidence-based and accessible evaluations of China’s internal and external dynamics, and India–China relations, reflecting on “the simultaneous re-emergence of the world’s two most populous countries. Indeed, China’s descent is described as the most consequential geopolitical development of the last four decades. In that context, with economic competition, border tensions and great-power rivalry on the rise, Decoding China aims to unpack Beijing’s strategies and India’s challenge.

Overview and Structure: The essays are grouped into four themed sections: (1) “The Big Picture” – broad strategic context (e.g. Ashok K. Kantha’s own essay on the India–China relationship and Arvind Gupta on China’s emerging trends); (2) China’s Strategic Ambitions – analyses of foreign policy (covering China’s ties with Russia, the US, South Asia, Southeast Asia, West Asia, and the Belt and Road Initiative); (3) Domestic Preoccupations – studies of China’s politics, economy, science/technology push, Covid policy, minority rights and more; and (4) China’s Military Universe – examinations of the People’s Liberation Army, the border standoff, China’s space program, and its military–civil fusion strategy. In short, the book covers the full sweep of China’s statecraft and power projection.

• Big picture: The introductory essays set the stage. Kantha – a veteran diplomat (former Indian Ambassador to China) – writes that by early 2025 India and China stood at an “ambiguous and transitional” juncture. The aftermath of the 2020 Galwan clash still loomed large: troop de-escalation had begun but the countries were merely “re-engaging rather than resetting” ties. He notes that at a recent summit in Kazan (BRICS 2024) and subsequent talks, officials agreed to resume patrols along the disputed border – a tacit recognition that “peace and tranquillity” on the Line of Actual Control is a prerequisite for any broader improvement. In Gupta’s survey of Chinese policy (Emerging Trends in China), he points out that China’s assertive regional diplomacy – a mix of trade incentives and pressure – has left neighbours hedging or balancing against Beijing. For example, he observes China’s strategy of offering economic “goods” and even acting as a sort of “net security provider” to countries willing to accommodate its core interests, knowing that ASEAN countries often prefer not to challenge it.

• Strategic ambitions: Part Two delves into Beijing’s global strategy. A key theme is how Xi Jinping’s China is seeking to reshape international order. Several essays describe China’s close alignment with Russia (notably, its “no-limits” partnership since 2022), even as Beijing also courts other powers to dilute Western pressure. Raghavan and others note how China used the Iraq War and, later, the Ukraine conflict to critique US dominance, calling for a “multipolar world” (even if in practice China’s strength makes it a great power in its own right)[9]. In Asia, analysts like Arvind Gupta and Biren Nanda trace China’s ambition to replace U.S. influence. They point out China’s use of “gray zone” tactics in the South China Sea and its economic leverage in Northeast and Southeast Asia. Indeed, one essay notes that in a recent Singapore survey China already edges out the U.S. as the most “influential political-strategic power” in the region. Meanwhile, China’s signature Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) is dissected. Kantha and others call it a “grand strategy” of connectivity – aimed at economic integration and greater Chinese clout– but they also highlight the downsides: BRI loans have “become increasingly imbalanced,” often lacking transparency. Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port saga is cited as a cautionary example: massive Chinese infrastructure loans left Sri Lanka unable to repay, forcing it to lease the port for 99 years. Contributors warn that many South Asian and African countries are now burdened with debt, creating “natural anxieties” about Beijing’s motives.

  
  

In other words, China’s foreign-policy ambitions range from deepening ties (China–Pakistan “all-weather” bonds, growing military sales to Dhaka and Islamabad) to carving influence corridors (a two-ocean naval presence from the South China Sea into the Indian Ocean). The essays stress that India, in particular, must view these moves through a security lens. Datta’s chapter on South Asia notes China’s major investments (like the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor) and warningly points out that “there are natural anxieties when projects are undertaken in violation of India’s sovereignty,” as happened with Chinese-backed projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Likewise, analyses of China’s activity in West Asia and Central Asia (by Tilak Devasher and others) highlight how Beijing is building networks of bases and alliances that could encircle India.

• Domestic Preoccupations: Part Three turns inward to the changes underway in China itself. A recurring argument is that Xi Jinping has tightened the regime even as external pressures grow. Several essays note that the 20th Party Congress (Oct 2022) cemented Xi’s personal power. One contributor observes that China’s leader is now the “strongest Chinese leader since Mao,” with loyalty campaigns and ideology enshrined throughout the state. Under Xi, political control and social stability are paramount: dissent is ruthlessly suppressed, and even apolitical spheres (like business) are being subjected to party oversight. Yet this tightening comes at a cost. As Krishnan and others explain, China’s four-decade export-driven growth model is “losing steam,” and authorities are scrambling for new growth engines[. In technology and innovation, China is racing ahead (in AI, quantum, space launchers, etc.), but much of this push is state-directed. One essay notes that China’s high-tech spending is now locked into a “whole-of-nation” strategy: the government is channeling massive funds into semiconductors, electric vehicles and space launch, often at the expense of market competition.

  
  

The human and social cost of these policies is also documented. Chapters on Covid-19 and public health describe how zero-Covid lockdowns and mass testing regimes, while controlling the virus, inflicted severe economic strain and public frustration. Likewise, the book does not shy away from the human-rights dimension: one essay chronicles how Xinjiang’s Uyghur population saw “deterioration of the overall humanitarian conditions” under draconian surveillance and detention policies. Contributors note that China’s aggressive “wolf warrior” diplomacy and harsh treatment of minorities have tarnished its global image, even as Beijing pours billions into infrastructure and public-financing to project a benign narrative.

• Military Posture: The final section examines China’s armed power. Across these chapters the consensus is that China is building a “world-class military” — modern, high-tech, and increasingly expeditionary — even if leaders insist that they do not seek war. For example, one analysis bluntly states that though a shooting war with the U.S. would be disastrous, China is nevertheless “readying a world-class military, equipped … to fight and win wars”. Articles by former Indian generals detail rapid PLA modernization: new missile systems, aircraft carriers, and a large rocket force, alongside expanded submarine and marine deployments in the Indian Ocean. Special attention is given to China’s space ambitions: as one chapter outlines, China has plans for super-heavy rockets and a 13,000-satellite network, with state spending on space second only to the U.S.. Analysts describe space as “the pivot of its global leadership ambitions.”

  
  

Another major theme is China’s doctrine of military–civil fusion (MCF), which seeks to erase barriers between civilian industry and the military. One contributor concludes that after making MCF a national priority, China “has successfully created a national consensus and framework” that spreads through “the entire party, state and military structure”. In practice this means Chinese tech firms, universities and even farmers are harnessed to defense goals. The book compares this to India’s still-nascent push for defense self-reliance and notes that in military–civil fusion, China enjoys a “whole-of-nation” mobilization unmatched in the West. All this leads to a cautious takeaway: India’s army must retain vigilance at the border. In a chapter on the India–China boundary, Lt. Gen. Rakesh Sharma warns that the line of actual control remains tense. He notes that India has repeatedly asked that “the situation be restored to the status quo of April 2020” (before China’s troop incursions), even as Beijing has sought to keep the issue low-profile.

• India–China Relations: Although the volume is framed from India’s vantage, it also has implications for regional order. The editors stress that the two Asian giants have “distinct narratives, aspirations and concerns”[2]. For Indian readers, the book drives home that border stability and smart diplomacy are crucial. One recent example underscores this: in late October 2024 India announced that after intensive talks, both sides had agreed on new rules for patrols along the Line of Actual Control, “leading to the disengagement” of 2020 tensions[7]. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri credited “patient and persevering diplomacy” for this progress, and even India’s foreign minister called it “a major breakthrough” toward restoring peace[7][21]. This real-world development – resuming patrols at Depsang and Demchok – echoes the calls in Decoding China for careful border management. As Ashok Kantha writes, India insists that without peace on the frontier, “how do you expect the rest of the relationship to go forward” (in his words, quoting FM Jaishankar)[22][20]. In other words, the essays in this book repeatedly circle back to one major implication: India must remain vigilant, avoid strategic miscalculations, and work with partners to balance China’s rise, while keeping channels of dialogue open.

  
  

The Editor and Contributors

The authority behind this volume is clear. Editor Ashok K. Kantha is a distinguished former diplomat – notably India’s Ambassador to China from 2013–2016 – and director of New Delhi’s Institute of Chinese Studies. He has long experience on the China beat (including earlier stints in Beijing and Hong Kong). His credentials lend weight to the collection: readers know the editor understands both sides of the India–China divide. The contributing authors are similarly eminent in their fields. They include former senior officials (for example, P.S. Raghavan, a retired Foreign Secretary; Arvind Gupta, ex-deputy National Security Advisor; Ananth Krishnan, veteran Hindu journalist) and career military officers (several lieutenant generals and an air marshal). Many have first-hand China exposure. For instance, Ananth Krishnan has covered China for years, and Lt. Gen. Gautam Banerjee served as an expert on China defense issues. In short, the essays are written by people with deep expertise or official background in the subject. The tone of the volume reflects that: the writing is sober and analytical, not polemical. Most chapters support their assertions with evidence (quotes from Chinese sources, data, official statements), as Kantha promised in his introduction. There is little hyperbole about “invincible” China or the like – indeed, one chapter explicitly warns that China’s system may be more “brittle” than it appears, susceptible to shocks if strained too far[23]. This balanced rigor aligns with the book’s goal of being a useful reference for policymakers and informed citizens alike.

Key Themes and Takeaways

Across its four parts, Decoding China paints a comprehensive portrait of modern China – far beyond headlines. The strategic analyses show how Xi’s China is leveraging economic power (through investments, trade agreements and projects like the BRI) to make itself central to other countries’ security calculations. At the same time, China is asserting its claims regionally: essays document Beijing’s pressure tactics in the South China Sea, its military build-up around Taiwan and Bhutan, and its efforts to pull neighbors into its orbit (from Southeast Asia to Central Asia). These moves have prompted nations from Vietnam to Sri Lanka to reassess their positions, a theme explored in the book through data and case studies.

On the domestic front, the book underlines two converging trends under Xi: consolidation of party control, and the seeking of a new economic model. Essays note that after the 20th Party Congress, Xi has become the “chief ideologue” of a highly centralized China[14]. The state is keenly guiding the economy into higher-tech industries – 5G, electric vehicles, quantum computing – often through large state-owned champions. This has raised concerns about slowing growth: one chapter points out that China’s export-driven boom is waning, and the government knows it must find “new triggers of growth”[15]. In parallel, social control is tightening. Scholars describe how censorship, surveillance and political loyalty campaigns have increased. The result is a society that Beijing calls “stable” but many in the book call “brittle”: overly dependent on top-down control, without much room for error or innovation.

In the military realm, the contributors emphasize that China sees its armed forces – army, navy, air force, rocket force, and space program – as key tools of national rejuvenation. The PLA’s budget has grown relentlessly, and it is acquiring drones, hypersonic missiles and cyber capabilities. The essays highlight China’s rapid advance in space as symbolic: by 2030 China aims to dominate space “across all domains,” even aspiring to erase U.S. advantages in satellite and launch technology. Military planners in the book argue that Beijing is trying to blend civilian R&D with defense needs, exemplified by the military–civil fusion drive. The implicit argument is that this fusion of economy and military technology gives China a potential long-term edge – one that India and other democracies need to watch carefully.

Finally, a persistent theme is China–India rivalry. Although the volume does not lapse into alarmism, many essays warn that India must assume China will continue to assert its interests on India’s borders and in South Asia. For India, the book concludes, stability is critical: every author reiterates that if border clashes resume, “the rest of the relationship” will suffer. They also advise India to boost its own capabilities (military reforms, new technologies, stronger regional ties) to avoid being outflanked. But importantly, the authors stop short of advocating confrontation: instead, they seem to call for prudent realism. As Jaishankar put it (quoted in the book), both sides can only “manage competition responsibly” – China’s success need not preclude India’s own rise. In other words, Decoding China argues that understanding China’s full strategy – not just its threats, but also its internal pressures and incentives – is essential for India to chart a steady course.

Conclusion: Why This Book Matters

In an era of heightened strategic uncertainty, Decoding China offers a timely stocktaking. Rather than a narrow border dispute narrative, the book situates India–China relations in a broader geopolitical and domestic context. Its articles underscore how China’s assertive foreign policy, transformative politics and stealthy military buildup are reshaping Asia and beyond. For general readers, the writing remains clear and jargon-free. The editors have managed to keep each essay focused: while they include technical details (for example on missile counts or economic figures), they explain why those details matter in plain language. This makes the book accessible to non-specialists who want more than headlines.

At bottom, the volume’s relevance lies in its synthesis of multiple angles. The global balance of power is shifting right now – whether it’s the contest for Asia’s leadership, the future of trade and technology networks, or big projects like the Belt and Road – and India must navigate this environment. By collecting Indian experts’ “hard perspectives,” the book helps readers grasp the complexity of Xi Jinping’s China as it stands today. As one chapter warns, China is strong but its “turn towards greater authoritarianism” makes its system potentially fragile[23]. The essays leave readers with a nuanced message: Beijing’s ambitions are real and its capabilities growing, but India (and other democracies) have time to adapt. In sum, Decoding China is a rich resource – a compendium that captures why China’s choices matter, and how they intersect with India’s security and future.

Key Takeaways: Among many insights, readers will learn that China under Xi Jinping is: extending its influence globally through infrastructure and “coercive diplomacy”; consolidating one-party rule at home while steering the economy toward high-tech self-reliance; and aggressively modernizing its military – including space and cyber forces – under a whole-of-nation strategy. For India, the essays emphasize that maintaining border tranquility and strategic readiness is crucial. As one contributor notes, India should avoid treating recent disengagement as a “new normal” without careful verification. The broad verdict is clear: China’s rise will continue to be “the most consequential” development of our time, and understanding it from multiple dimensions (foreign policy, economy, society, military) is essential for any country – not just India – that must deal with Beijing’s challenge.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3WaQlJu