<p>A comprehensive study of China is one of the most important areas of research at Observer Research Foundation. The ORF China Studies Programme has been closely following the emergence of India’s great neighbour on the global centre-stage as a military and economic superpower. Of particular interest have been China's political and social evolution, its economy and how its foreign and security policies affect India and the world.</p> <p><br /> The ORF China Studies Series is an effort to analyse China's economic, political and military trajectory in a sustained and dispassionate manner and create a body of insightful work which will be useful to scholars, &nbsp;policymakers, journalists and all those interested in knowing China better.</p>

<p><strong>M. Rasgotra</strong> joined the Indian Foreign Service in September 1949. In the pioneering years of Indian diplomacy, he served with distinction in Indian missions in Washington D.C., Kathmandu and in the Ministry of External Affairs. From 1958 to 1962, he was India’s representative on the UN Trusteeship Council, the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee and the Decolonisation Committee. From 1962 to 1967, he made a notable contribution to the evolution and implementation of India’s policies towards its neighbours.</p> <p><br /> Mr Rasgotra’s ambassadorial career took him to Morocco and Tunisia, the USA, the UK, Nepal, the Netherlands, France and UNESCO. 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. He played a significant role in the prestigious events of the period—the Seventh Non-Aligned Summit, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the Six-Nation Appeal on Nuclear Disarmament and the Six-Nation Summit in New Delhi.</p> <p><br /> After retirement, he was Honorary Visiting Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Regents’ Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and President of the Delhi College of Arts and Commerce. He is founder President of the International Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies. Currently, he is President, Centre for International Relations at the Observer Research Foundation.</p> <p><br /> In 2002, he was decorated with the Padma Bhushan.</p>

<p><strong>Ravi Bhoothalingam</strong> studied Experimental Psychology at Cambridge University, UK. After holding senior positions in industry in India and overseas, he now serves on several company boards and travels extensively in China, Mongolia and High Asia to promote cultural and business ties.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Raviprasad Narayanan</strong> is Assistant Research Fellow at the Institute of International Relations (IIR), National Chengchi University, Taiwan. He has published many articles in newspapers and magazines and contributed chapters and research papers to books and journals in India and abroad.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>K. Raghunath</strong>, former Foreign Secretary of India, served as Ambassador &nbsp;to Russia, Nigeria and the Philippines. He specialises on India-China relations.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>D.S. Rajan</strong> retired as China Analyst, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India. He was posted to Indian missions in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Beijing during service. He is presently Director of the Chennai Centre of China Studies. He has been regularly contributing articles on China to various journals and publications.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>C.V. Ranganathan</strong> has been Ambassador of India to various countries, including China and France. Since his retirement from the Indian Foreign Service in 1993, he has held various advisory and research positions. He also served as convener of the National Security Advisory Board. He has published many articles and contributed to books, newspapers, journals and magazines in India and abroad on international affairs. He has co-authored a book, India and China—The Way Ahead (2010).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ravni Thakur</strong> is Professor of Chinese Studies at the Department of East Asian Studies, Delhi University. She has published widely in reputed academic journals and published under Zed Books. She is also Assistant Secretary for International Relations, Congress Party.</p>