India-China Relations

Table of Contents

India and China have shared a friendly relationship since early times. This friendship, however, has faced certain challenges since the first half of the twentieth century. There have been disputes mainly concerning the borders of both countries. These have resulted in violent attacks and deaths of many on both sides of the dispute. Despite these problems, both nations have been trying to mend fences through economic, cultural, political, and trade relations. In recent times, the nations have seen the re-emergence of border disputes. 

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India-China Relations

• Before the advent of Western imperialism, India and China were great powers in Asia. With its unique tributary system, China had considerable influence and control on the periphery of its borders
• China’s long history of dynastic rule made countries like Mongolia, Korea, parts of Indo-China, and Tibet accept China’s authority
• Several empires and kingdoms extended their influence beyond their borders. This influence was political, economic, and cultural in both cases
• As evident from the India-China relations, there was limited political and cultural interaction between the two in history
• However, both countries built on a relationship during the mid-20th century. For a brief time, the slogan of ‘Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai’ was quite famous

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The 1962 Conflict

• A war took place between China and India between October and November 1962
• The Himalayan border was the main cause of the war that impacted both countries severely
• It was in this war that asylum was provided to the Dalai Lama in India
• China proposed diplomatic settlements between 1960 and 1962, but these were rejected by India
• On October 20, 1962, China decided to invade the disputed territory and attack Indian forces
• Finally, on November 20, 1962, China announced a ceasefire and withdrew from the conflict

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Concerns in the Relation

• Differences arose when China took over Tibet in 1950 and the final settlement of the Sino-Indian border happened
• China and India were involved in a border conflict in 1962 over competing territorial claims principally in Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region of Ladakh
• The war which began in 1962 had long-term implications for India–China relations
• Until 1976, a decline in diplomatic ties between the two countries was observed
• In 1987, the Sumdorong Chu stand-off took place in Arunachal Pradesh over the ownership of the Sumdorong Chu rivulet, which led to further problems in their relationship
• In 2017, there was another standoff in Doklam, commonly known as the China-India border standoff, which took place due to the Chinese construction of a road where both countries claim the territory

Positive Evolution

• After the conflict, bilateral relations between the neighbouring countries began to improve slowly and the policies of China became more pragmatic and less ideological
• In 1981, the initiation of a series of talks between the countries started to resolve the border issue
• Rajiv Gandhi visited China in December 1988 that provided the impetus for the betterment of India–China relation
• Along with the economic dimension, now their relations have a strategic look
• In the context of Asian economy and politics, both countries play a major role and view themselves as rising powers in global politics
• Several measures have been taken from both sides to prevent conflict and maintain amity and harmony on the border
• They have also signed a pact on cultural exchanges and alliances in science and technology and opened four border posts for trade
• With India–China trade growing at 30% per year since 1999, a more positive perspective on relations with China has emerged
• Both the countries adopted somewhat the same policies in international economic institutions like the World Trade Organisation at the global level
• As opposed to the India-China relations, some policies of China have been seen contributing such as a build-up of Pakistan’s nuclear program and military relations with Bangladesh and Myanmar were viewed as hostile to Indian interests in South Asia. But, there is less opportunity to have a new conflict between the countries just because of these issues particularly
• A notable sign of this is that the talks to resolve the boundary question have continued without interruption and military-to-military cooperation is increasing
• Leaders and officials of both countries visit Beijing and New Delhi with greater frequency and both sides are now becoming more familiar with each other
• In a Philip to the India China relations to establish a vibrant and sound relationship between the two most populated countries of the world, common economic interests, increasing transportation and communication links, and global concerns may prove to be the thrust of India China relations

Conclusion

India and China have had a complicated relationship since the beginning of the twentieth century. As China took over Tibet, both countries entered into a series of disputes regarding the borders of the countries. One of the most notable conflicts was the conflict of 1962. This followed a decline in the diplomatic relations between both countries. Since the 1970s, the countries began to make an effort to improve their ties. In 2020, India saw a ban on Chinese goods which caused a decline in their relations. The countries have, however, reached an agreement which prevented the use of guns on the Line of Actual Control.

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