We saw that India was the founder of the NAM which sought to keep an independent position between the two superpowers. India tried to base its foreign policy on the Gandhian principles of peace and non-violence. To emphasise its determination for peace, Jawaharlal Nehru formulated his renowned Panchsheel principles:

1. Respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
2. Non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
3. Non-aggression and settlement of disputes with mutual understanding.
4. Endeavour to achieve cooperation and mutual respect in international relationships.
5. Promoting peaceful coexistence.

These were to determine India’s relations with other countries, especially its neighbours – China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and subsequently, Bangladesh. Read the following account of India’s relation with its neighbours and understand the extent to which it has been based on these principles.

India’s Relationship with China

After a long struggle and a violent revolution, China became a Communist republic in 1949. India was one of the first countries to recognise China’s Communist government. India also supported a permanent seat in UN Security Council for China, the seat that was earlier occupied by the Chiang Kai Shek Government. India helped China take part in Bandung conference in spite of their ideological differences. Both the countries signed the Panchsheel pact on 29 April 1954. The leaders of both the countries visited each other’s country and they were greeted by large friendly crowds.

During the colonial rule Mc Mahon line was drawn as the border between the countries. Nehru accepted it. Tibet which lay between China and India was to be an independent buffer zone. But China annexed Tibet in 1950 on the plea that it was a dependent state of the old Chinese Empire. This removed the buffer between the two countries. There was a revolt in Tibet which was crushed by the Chinese. Thousands of Tibetans escaped along with Dalai Lama and took refuge in India. India gave asylum to Dalai Lama and this caused a conflict. Chinese started considering India as an adversary. Prior to this, a border dispute had surfaced between India and China. China laid claim to Aksai-chin area in Ladakh region and much of Arunachal Pradesh. Despite many efforts and long discussions, the conflicts have not been resolved till today.

China tried to invade Indian territories in October 1962, violating the peace treaties it had signed with India. India was not prepared for this surprise attack and suffered great losses in the war. Eventually, China declared unilateral ceasefire and withdrew its troops to its pre-war position. It took more than a decade to resume