Peace and conflict with China Unlike its relationship with Pakistan, free India began its relationship with China on a very friendly note. After the Chinese revolution in , India was one of the first countries to recognise the communist government. Nehru felt strongly for this neighbour that was coming out of the shadow of western domination and helped the new government in international fora. Some of his colleagues, like Vallabhbhai Patel, were worried about a possible Chinese aggression in future.
But Nehru thought it was ‘exceedingly unlikely’ that India will face an attack from China. For a very long time, the Chinese border was guarded by para-military forces, not the army. The joint enunciation of Panchsheel, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, by the Indian Prime Minister Nehru and the Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai on April was a step in the direction of stronger relationship between the two countries. Indian and Chinese leaders visited each other’s country and were greeted by large and friendly crowds.
Did we have more recognition and power in the world when we were younger, poorer and more vulnerable than now? Isn’t that strange? a country without material, men or money – the three means of power – is now fast coming to be recognised as the biggest moral power in the civilised world …her word listened to with respect in the councils of the great. C.
Rajagopalachari Letter to Edwina Mountbatten, .