China views India as its 'Asian Rival' with an innate ability to counter its hegemonic goals in Asia. Despite these difficulties in India-China relations, there are also many areas of convergence. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks.

China views India as an 'Asian Rival' because India believes in a rules-based order and thus, India has always countered Chinese hegemonic goals in Asia in the following cases: - Passing of Belt and Road Initiative through LoC (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) - India supported Philippines when it opposed Chinese hegemony over Paracel and Spratly islands in the South China Sea. - India abstained from joining RCEP to counter the surge of cheap Chinese imports into India

Despite these difficulties in India-China relations, there are many areas of convergence like: - Climate change: China and India can together become the voice of the Global South for climate justice and equity. They can secure climate finance from developed countries to mitigate climate change. - Vaccine Research and Development: can be done to counter pandemics and many deadly diseases like cancer. - Terrorism: They can raise voice against terrorism and prevent state-sponsored terrorism. - War: Both countries have good relations with Russia and are also buying oil from Russia, when Russia is facing sanctions.