India’s Perceptions of China’s Nuclear Advancement

Beijing continues to modernize and diversify its nuclear forces. While much attention has been given to how this may impact U.S.-China relations, relatively little has been given to how India might assess the situation. But as two of the three nuclear-armed states in southern Asia, a change in China’s nuclear posture may signal shifts in strategy that heighten the risk of escalation and conflict for India — especially amid ongoing tensions, like the two countries’ dispute over their shared 2,100-mile border. Dr. Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan explores how India is cautiously observing Beijing’s nuclear intentions while calculating the potential risks to regional security in her new USIP special report, “Assessing India’s Perceptions of China’s Nuclear Expansion.”

Join USIP for a virtual conversation with Dr. Rajagopalan that will look at India’s perceptions of China’s nuclear expansion, the advancements that may be most consequential for regional security, and the potential consequences of China's nuclear build-up on the U.S.-India bilateral relationship.

For more information about this event, and to join the live audience Q&A, please visit

Speakers:

Sameer Lalwani, Ph.D.

Senior Expert, South Asia, U.S. Institute of Peace

Robert Peters, Ph.D.

Research Fellow, Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense, The Heritage Foundation

Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, Ph.D.

Resident Senior Fellow, Australian Strategic Policy Institute

Daniel Markey, Ph.D., moderator

Senior Advisor, South Asia, U.S. Institute of Peace

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