4. INDIA-CHINA Relations

India-China Relations

• India and China were great powers of Asia before the advent of Western Imperialism.
• In 20th Century, both nations confronted each other, they had some difficulty evolving a foreign policy to deal with each other.
• For a brief while, the slogan of ‘ Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai’ was popular.
• A military conflict over a border dispute between the two countries marred the hope.
• China and India have been in conflict in 1950 over Tibet issue.
• And also, in border conflicts in 1962 principally in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
•  Diplomatic relations of both countries were downgraded until 1976.
• Slowly the relations of both the countries started improving, when the China’s political leadership changed in mid to late 1970’s.
• 1981- Steps were taken to resolve the border issues.
• 1988- Rajiv Gandhi visited China, since then both governments have taken measures to contain conflict and maintain ‘peace and tranquility’ on the border.
• 1999 – trade between both countries have increased from 30 percent
• Bilateral trade between India and China has increased from $338 million in 1992 to more than $84 billion in 2017.
• At global level both the countries have adopted similar policies in international economic situation like WTO.
• India’s nuclear test of 1998, justified on the grounds of a threat from China, and did not stop greater interaction.
• There is a positive relation between the two countries.