China and India also have a seven-decades-long border dispute, which experiences periodic flare ups. China and India also exhibit competitive tendencies in regional influence, marked by the recent standoff at Doklam and continued naval competition in the Indian Ocean. Conflict could occur between China and India along the border, and not necessarily as a result of Chinese assertiveness. While India sees China as a rival, China does not put the same amount of attention and resources toward competition with India. 3) Deepening defense ties with India won’t solve the strategic challenge of the rise of China.

Source: Sunday Times October 25, 2017 18:45 UTC