I ndia – C hina R elations

I ndia – C hina R elations India and China were great powers in Asia before the advent of Western imperialism. China had considerable influence and control on the periphery of its borders based on its unique tributary system. At different times in China’s long history of dynastic rule, Mongolia, Korea, parts of Indo-China, and Tibet accepted China’s authority. Various kingdoms and empires in India also extended their influence beyond their borders. In both cases this influence was political, economic and cultural. However, the regions where India and China exercised influence rarely ever overlapped. Thus, there was limited political and cultural interaction between the two. The result was that neither country was very familiar with the other. In the twentieth century, when both nations confronted each other, they had some difficulty evolving a foreign policy to deal with each other. After India regained its independence from Britain, and China expelled the foreign powers, there was hope that both would come together to shape the future of the developing world and of Asia particularly. For a brief while, the slogan of ‘Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai’ was popular. However, Chinese aggression on the Indian border has marred that hope. Soon after independence, both states were involved in differences arising from the Chinese takeover of Tibet in and the final settlement of the Sino-Indian border. China and India were involved in a border conflict in over competing territorial claims principally in Arunachal Pradesh and in the Aksai Chin region of Ladakh. The conflict of , in which India suffered military reverses, had long-term implications for India–China relations. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were downgraded until . Thereafter, relations between the two countries began to improve slowly. After the change in China’s political leadership from the mid to late 1970s, China’s policy became more pragmatic and less ideological. So it was prepared to put off the settlement of contentious issues while improving relations with India. A series of talks to resolve the border issue were also initiated in . Since the end of the Cold War, there have been significant changes in India– China relations. Their relations now have a strategic as well as an economic dimension. Both view themselves as rising powers in global politics, and both would like to play Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a visit to India in . Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China in . Find out about the agreements signed during their visits.