India, April 26 -- Power competition has been a permanent mainstay of international relations since immemorial times. The aspirations of countries to assume the role of the leading actor in the international system has led to a myriad of forms of great power competition. The position of the hegemon of the system is an aspirational one for all States, not just because of associated prestige, but also because of the many benefits that the hegemon receives, in addition to being in a dominant position to maintain its continued existence in the international order. However, the role of the hegemon also includes spending militarily and economically to largely keep the international system stable and free from large-scale conflicts. Given the re...