The Cold War in the Himalayas

Extensive in scope and drawing on newly available evidence from multinational archives, this book reconsiders Sino-Indian border issues during the middle Cold War using multiple established analytical frameworks. It demonstrates how key countries perceived and engaged with the border conflict by aiding the two main participants morally and materially. Before, during, and after the 1962 Sino-Indian border war, multinational political actors pursued their foreign policy goals (e.g., trade, security, and prestige) concerning the frontier, and often tried to destabilize spheres of influence and bolster alliances. Therefore, this contest signified a variation of the Anglo-Russian Great Game in Asia during the nineteenth century, and the theater of operations encompassed not only the border itself, but also the Himalayan kingdoms, Tibet, and Burma. A reevaluation of the border conflict between India and China is necessary given current, ongoing clashes at their still unresolved border as well as the fact that these two countries now possess enhanced technology and weapons.

Chervin Reed :

Dr. Reed Chervin researches Asia and the world. He received his PhD in International History from the University of Hong Kong in 2019 and has published in the Journal of Cold War Studies and the Journal of American-East Asian Relations.

"Chervin’s book has provided a significant contribution to the history of the Sino-Indian border conflict, an issue that remains live in international politics today, and the book will be of great help to students of international history and international relations."
-- Anton Harder, The China Quarterly, , 1-2, 2024

"The Cold War in the Himalayas is a must-read for anyone interested in Asian history, India-China relations, international relations, or Cold War studies. Reed Chevrin’s ability to situate a regional conflict within a global framework provides a model for how historical scholarship can illuminate contemporary geopolitical tensions."
B.R. Deepak, The Sunday Guardian, December 2024