Ever since the two ancient nations of India and China established modern states in the mid-20th century, they have been locked in a complex rivalry ranging across the South Asian region - a rivalry punctuated by numerous military confrontations and one outright war, frequent disagreements over national and international policies, and pervasive mutual suspicions. Despite some instances of co-operation, Sino-Indian relations have been characterised more by conflict than by friendship. Garver offers a scrupulous examination of the two countries' actions and policy decisions over the past 50 years. He has interviewed many of the key figures who have shaped this diplomatic history, and has combed through the public and private statements made by officials, as well as the extensive record of government documents and media reports. Combining this wealth of scholarship with his long-standing admiration for the two nations, Garver's analysis contrasts the firm realities of the Sino-Indian relationship with the murky layers of perception that inevitably colour diplomatic and geopolitical relations. He presents a thorough and compelling account of the rivalry between these powerful neighbours and its influence on the region and the larger world. "The Protracted Contest" will be a standard reference for historians and political scientists of India, China, and South Asia as well as government analysts around the world who specialise in issues affecting these countries. John W. Garver teaches at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Among his other books are "Face Off: China, the United States, and Taiwan's Democratization and Foreign Relations of the People's Republic of China".