An Analysis of India’s Hedging Strategy towards China

　　Abstract: India ’s hedging strategy towards China is both an objective appraisal of China’s rise and a reflection of its complex sentiments towards China.India has long sought a leadership role in the Indian Ocean Region, however China’s rise has influenced India’s leadership interests and regional influence in South Asia.Concerned by China’s growing military power (especially in the border area) and that China may turn Asia into a unipolar region, India has consistently adopted both internal and external means of balancing China’s influence in the Asia Pacific Region.However, in view of the changing international situation, and as the balancing part of the “hedging strategy” do not appear reliable over the long term, India’s preference has shifted towards the engagement part of the “hedging”.As a result, India has enhanced its diplomatic, commercial and trade relations with China, sent signals that it will not participate in America’s pivot towards Asia, and assured China of its intention not to take part in any alliance targeted at containing China.As such, on the whole, India’s hedging strategy towards China indicates that it has a rather positive and objective view of China’s rise.