Ontological Security and India-China Relations: From Border War to “News War”

This paper joins the growing scholarship on the ontological security needs of states in international relations (IR) literature and explores its relevance to India-China relations. Ontological security is the security of identity, achieved by routinized relationships with significant others and actors can become attached to those relationships. The main research question will be twofold: to what extent is the border dispute constitutive of India and China’s identities in their interactions; and, to what extent can the concept ontological security shed light on understanding India-China relations and on ending persistent border conflict? By reviewing India-China border dispute and examining recent phenomenon, the “news war,” the paper argues that there is a victim-perpetrator/loser-winner relationship between India and China, caused by the 1962 war and routinized in the years thereafter, which indicates great conflict potential. However, breaking out of this relationship will render their identities insecure. The “news war” demonstrates ontological security-seeking behaviors of India and China. To end persistent conflict, it is important to take more seriously the legacy of the past traumatic interactions. Moreover, a multi-layered historical reconciliation process could serve as a tactic to conflict resolution and to foster mutual trust between India and China.