Science and Technology in China: Implications and Lessons for India

Science and Technology in China discusses the changing structural and institutional context of scientific research in China. The new environment of global competition entails that the norms of generation of new knowledge are as important as those for innovation and commercialization. China has been able to achieve this in a largely state-controlled environment, where political will and commitments have played an increasingly important role. India, on the other hand, is still caught in a paradox of too much democracy at all levels of social and economic activity. It needs a big political push and inclusive decentralized approach to realize its well-defined plans and objectives to make its international presence felt.  

The essays focus on China’s nuclear programme, space technology, aviation, aeronautics, IT and industrial development. The contributors conclude that India has to carefully tailor its own military strategy and diplomacy in the Asian region to greater effect with better harnessing and utilization of its strengths in science and technology.  The reforms, policy initiatives and strategies in multiple sectors initiated by China contain crucial lessons and one key message for India―the need to pursue a coordinated and single-minded strategy to achieve its goals.

Maharajakrishna Rasgotra was India’s Foreign Secretary from 1982 to 1985. In a long career in India’s Foreign Service which ended in 1990, he filled several high posts in India and abroad with distinction. His ambassadorial career from 1967 to 1990 took him to Morocco and Tunisia, the USA, the UK, Nepal, the Netherlands, France and UNESCO and finally, again, to the UK as India’s High Commissioner. His tenure as Foreign Secretary from 1982 to 1985 was marked by a renewal in Indo-American relations, sustained negotiations with Pakistan and an opening to China.

After retirement from government service, Mr Rasgotra was Honorary Visiting Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Regent’s Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, President of the Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, member of the UN’s Disarmament Advisory Council and Chairman of government of India’s National Security Advisory Board.