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The rise of China and India could be the most important political development of the twenty-first century. What will the foreign policies of China and India look like in the future? What should they look like? And what can each country learn from the other? Bridging Two Worlds gathers a coterie of experts in the field, analyzing profound political thinkers from these ancient regions whose theories of interstate relations set the terms for the debates today. This volume is the first work that systematically compares ancient thoughts and theories about international politics between China and India. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the growth of China and India and what it will mean for the rest of the world.

Amitav Acharya is Distinguished Professor of International Relations and UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance at the School of International Service, American University (Washington, DC).

Daniel A. Bell is Chair Professor of Political Theory with the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong.

Rajeev Bhargava is Honorary Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (Delhi) and Director of its Parekh Institute of Indian Thought. 

Yan Xuetong is Distinguished Professor of International Relations at Tsinghua University (Beijing) and Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

"Every century needs an indispensable guide. The twenty-first century in Asia will see a natural return of the two great civilizations of China and India. Yet so little is known of them, especially to Western minds. And even less is known, even by thoughtful Chinese and Indians, on how these two great areas of culture have interacted for millennia. This brilliant volume shines a light on the two great civilizations that will once again drive world history. No volume could be more timely, more relevant, and more needed than this one. Ignore it at your peril. Read it and you will be enlightened."—Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow, Asia Research Institute, NUS, and author of The Asian 21st Century

"With the recently elevated economic and political power of China and the great potential of India in the twenty-first century, interdisciplinary dialogue and engagement such as is found in this book is necessary for contemporary debates in political theory and international relations."—Kuiyi Shen, Professor of Asian Art History, Theory, and Criticism, University of California, San Diego

"A pioneering volume that assembles some of the most important scholars of Chinese and Indian historical political thought to think athwart and across their specialized regions.  It is important not only because Chinese power and an emergent India will play a significant role in global politics but also because these traditions may embed alternative visions and ideals from contemporary international politics. Commendably, the authors steer away from provocative politicized positions to focus on statecraft as it reflects fundamental values of society, rulership and life."—Prasenjit Duara, Duke University

"Bridging Two Worlds enriches our knowledge about ancient Chinese and Indian political thoughts and theories, which represent a significant contribution of the two great Asian civilizations. It tries to bridge: first, China and India, with an academic dialogue between their ancient but diverse political ideas; second, past and present, to make sense of the present political and international practices by exploring the traditional codes; third, East and West, to complement the West-dominated political and IR theories. This book deserves a wide audience within the academy and beyond."—Li Li, deputy director and senior fellow, Institute of International Relations, Tsinghua University, China


"Comparing ancient Indian and Chinese thoughts and statecrafts, this book presents an alternative to a Western-dominated narrative. This book's originality lies in adapting Asian wisdoms for understanding contemporary international politics and also seeking compatibility between the two worlds. The book brings an innovative historical and philosophical approach to India–China studies."—Rajiv Ranjan, Associate Professor, College of Liberal Arts, Shanghai University


"This excellent book brings together top scholars from the fields of Chinese and Indian political theory and philosophy. There have been few books that compare Chinese and Indian thought, and as the two countries become increasingly involved in cultural, political, and economic exchange, Bridging Two Worlds provides a much-needed philosophical perspective on present India–China relations."—Viren Murthy, author of The Politics of Time in China and Japan: Back to the Future