Indo-China Relations : Historical Background

It is said that 21st Century is an Asian Century. If it is true, the two Asian giants China and India with a combined population of 2·4 billion, having a gloriouscivilisational past and thriving economic growth are going to reshape the World History in 21st Century. However, the bilateral relations between the two countries are marred by certain contentious issues which negatively affect their joint potential to play an effective role in global affairs.

Briefly, the relations between the two countries can be explained under three phases. The first phase (1949–1957) may be termed as an era of Ideological overtones Before the communist revolution in China in 1949, the Chinese Premier Chiang Kai Shek visited India in 1942 and supported India’s Independence. Even before that the Indian Medical Mission led by Dr. Kotnis visited China in 1930s during China-Japan war, which was appreciated by Chinese people and rulers alike. Inspite of Chinese incursion in Tibet, Indian and Chinese Premiers exchanged visits and both countries signed panchsheel agreement in 1954; which was to guide relations between the two countries.

The Second Phase (1957–1978) is a period of clash and tensions between the two countries. The imperial designs of China became evident in 1959 when it led military occupation of Tibet. The refugees led by Dalai Lama formed government in exile in India which irked the Chinese establishment. Consequently China launched a full scale attack against India in Oct. 1962 and occupied large tracts of Indian territory in Western Sector. The humiliation received by India in this war led a period of tensions between the two countries.

The third phase (1978-till date) is a period of normalisation of relationship between the two countries. The main spirit guiding this phase is that while border dispute and Tibet issue remain as unresolved, both countries have agreed to move ahead in other areas of co-operation specially economic co-operation. The main highlights of this phase are :

● Both countries re-established diplomatic relations in 1976, which were snapped after 1962 war.

● Indian Foreign Minister A. B. Bajpai visited China in Feb. 1979.

● 1981–Chinese Foreign Minister visited India and both countries agreed to start negotiation to solve the boundary dispute.

● Eight rounds of boundary talks were held between the two countries till 1987 but no solution was found.

● Indian P.M. Rajeev Gandhi visited China in 1988 and both agreed to form a joint working group to find the solution of boundary problem.

● Chinese Premier visited India in Dec. 1991 and both countries agreed to open business consulates and restart land border trade.

● Indian President Venkatraman visited China in 1992 on a goodwill mission. He was the first Indian President to visit China.

● Indian P.M. Narsimha Rao visited China in Sep. 1993 and both countries agreed to maintain peace in the border areas.

● In order to expand trade relations, both countries granted each other the status of Most Favoured Nation in 1984 and set up a ministerial level Joint Group on Economic Relations and Trade Science and Technology (JEG).

● Indian P.M. A. B. Bajpai visited China in June 2003 which resulted, inter alia, in the setting up of a Joint Study Group (JSG) to examine the potential complementarities between the two countries in expanded trade and economic co-operation.

● Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited India in April 2005. The recommendations of JSG were accepted. The JSG recommended an Indo-China Regional Trading agreement, comprising trade in goods and services, investment and trade promotion and facilitation and measures for promotion of economic co-operation in identified sectors.

● The Chinese President visited India in Nov.-Dec. 2006 which provided a further filip to cooperation and bilateral trade between the two countries. Both countries agreed to raise the volume of bilateral trade to $ 40b by 2010 and to expedite feasibility study for Indo-China Regional Trading Arrangement by Oct. 2007.

● The Indian P.M. Manmohan Singh visited China in Jan. (13th to 15th) 2008.