Professor Khurshid Ahmad’s Perspective on Great Power Relations: The U.S. and China, and Avoiding the Thucydides Trap

Nature of Great Power Relations

In Professor Khurshid’s view, relations among great powers—such as between the United States and China—must be guided by justice, pluralism, and coexistence, rather than confrontation or domination. The world has witnessed that when powerful nations seek to impose their will upon others, the cost—both political and human—becomes “enormous,” leaving no option but dialogue, understanding, and the establishment of a global regime based on justice and mutual respect.

The essence of stable great power relations lies in acknowledging natural differences “with grace” and recognizing that “freedom and equity must go together”. This principle applies not only to smaller states but equally to the largest powers, who must learn to coexist without seeking hegemony.

The Thucydides Trap

The so-called Thucydides Trap—the tendency toward war when a rising power threatens to displace an established one—can only be avoided through mutual restraint, respect for sovereignty, and institutionalized cooperation. The professor has argued that “fairness can be achieved by accepting disparities without compromising on sovereignty and honor”, and that big powers should treat smaller countries as partners, not clients.

Applied to the U.S-China context, this means both must accept the reality of each other’s power while refraining from ideological or military confrontation. Instead of competing for dominance, they should focus on managing competition through transparency, dialogue, and equitable global governance.

Role of Dialogue and Cultural Cooperation

Peaceful coexistence between civilizations and nations is possible only through “peaceful cultural contact and cooperation”, not through “civilizational confrontation and cultural warfare”. The U.S. and China, representing distinct civilizational and political traditions, must therefore engage in cultural diplomacy and mutual learning rather than ideological rivalry.

Professor Ahmed has emphasized that “peace and prosperity cannot be achieved by civilizational confrontation”, and that “promotion of democracy, human development, and socio-economic well-being are our common objectives”. This approach calls for a shift from zero-sum geopolitics to shared human development goals.

For the United States:

• Abandon the mindset of global dominance and accept the emergence of multipolarity.
• Engage China as a partner in global governance, particularly in areas like climate change, trade regulation, and nuclear disarmament.
• Uphold fairness by treating other nations as equals, not as clients or instruments of policy.

For China:

• Exercise strategic patience and transparency in its rise, avoiding actions that provoke insecurity among others.
• Promote cooperation through economic and cultural engagement, not coercion.
• Contribute to building a global order based on justice and pluralism, rather than replicating hegemonic patterns.

For Both:

• Institutionalize dialogue mechanisms to manage crises and prevent escalation.
• Commit to arms control and nuclear transparency, as “judicious control, management, and transparency in respect of nuclear weaponry” are essential first steps toward peace.
• Foster civilizational understanding through education, cultural exchange, and joint humanitarian initiatives.

Vision of a Just Global Order

Ultimately, the avoidance of great war depends on the moral and institutional transformation of international relations. As the professor writes, “the only option is dialogue, understanding, and establishment of a global regime that is based on justice, pluralism, and co-existence”.

The future of peace among great powers—especially between the U.S. and China—rests not on deterrence or dominance, but on mutual respect, cultural cooperation, and a shared commitment to human dignity.

Conclusion

To avoid the Thucydides Trap, both the United States and China must transcend the logic of power politics and embrace the ethics of partnership. The path forward lies in justice without domination, cooperation without submission, and dialogue without prejudice. Only then can the world move toward a truly peaceful and plural global order.