China-India relations are getting increasingly strained lately. India though an important member of the international community and a key power in South Asia has repeatedly stumbled over Chinese hurdles on its path to achieving greater role in global matters.  Even at a regional level China is making persistent efforts to make inroads into India’s neighborhood and is presenting a formidable challenge to India’s internal security as well as its foreign policy.  The source of this posturing lies in the advantageous position China finds itself in when compared to India in almost all spheres.  The paper makes an attempt to analyze the key factors, decisions and events that have helped shape this difference in strength and influence between the two nations. Examining the present through the lens of history promises to reveal many of the secrets of Chinese prowess while also offering sound lessons for the future.

KEY WORDS: India, China, Pakistan, Deng Xiaoping, foreign policy,