Unfortunately Sino-Indian relations remained wrapped in mutual suspicion and acrimony. The fact is that soon after Independence, India realized the importance of having cordial relations with China who was not only our geographical neighbour but also enjoyed the potential of becoming world power. Apart from this, Indian leadership attached great importance to millennia long cultural relations between the two countries. India had special significance for traditional Chinese leadership for being the home of the origin of Buddhist faith and philosophy which travelled all the way to reach China and get acceptance and popularity with the people in that country. Buddha’s message was of peace and fraternal relationship. Great Buddhist scholars of China travelled all the way across the great Central Asian deserts to drink deep from the fountains of Buddhist lore in Indian monasteries. In particular Kashmirian Buddhist scholars of eminence like Kamalshree carried the message of Buddha to Tibet and to Chinese mainland.
But dynamic societies do not restrict themselves to ancient and distant relationship but dovetail these to modern requirements. Any country lacking dynamism in foreign relationship remains a looser. Therefore soon after Indian won freedom, the then Indian Prime Minister extended hand of friendship towards China in the hope that the gesture would be reciprocated. The Bandung Conference lit up the hope that two countries were about to embark on a massive programme of cooperation among two rising giants of the Asian continent. India went euphoric and raised the slogan of Hindi-Chini bhai bhai. If there was sincerity on either side, this slogan would have become an article of faith for all those who believe in the philosophy of live and let live. Alas soon China reverted to her age old obsession of coveting more land and territories. Then there happened the tragic event of Sino-Indian border war of 1962 in which Indian troops were routed and put to humiliation. It happened because of inexcusable unpreparedness of Indian defence outfit in all phases of war preparedness against a determined aggressor.
Ever since, suspicions and political rivalry marred bilateral relations. Trade and commerce did not take off and on international plane, China always opposed India wherever it could. Things worsened with the entry of third force viz. Pakistan which gave a strong handle to China to scuttle India’s interests on international plain. India decided to continue diplomatic relations even if on low trajectory and at the same time improve its defence capability so as to protect her border from any aggression. Two big countries that are neighborus and have a wide range of common interests are neither permanent foes nor permanent friends. Such is the dynamism of international relationship. Anyway over the decades it appears that better sense is prevailing on both sides and they are now talking diplomacy not acrimony. They are regularly meeting to discuss border issues; they meet to discuss trade and commerce; they meet to discuss anti-terrorism measures, and many more things of bilateral interests. There are growing indications that the two sides want to work constructively for maintaining calm along the long border and peace in the region.
In the recent India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue in which the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission of India Montek Singh led his team, the two sides are reported to have concentrated on railway connectivity in India and all matters related to it. Increasing the speed of trains and improving their ability to haul great load formed the main item of talks between the experts of two sides. We have a very wide network of railways in our country perhaps the largest in the world. However China’s advanced technology in the sector would prove a booster to the efficiency of our railways. We would expect the two sides widen the canvas of their trade relationship that would be beneficial to both. In the history of nations, it is nothing new that old rivals become new friends and give a new direction to their relationship. China is a rising power and India cannot remain indifferent to the clout that she enjoys in international community. While trade talks are going on talks on resolving border dispute should not be stopped.
While we are seeking the hand of friendship, it should not be construed as our weakness which Chinese would exploit. Chumar, 300 kilometers east of Leh has been claimed by the Chinese as their territory though the line of demarcation clearly shows it part of Indian territory. Menacing presence of some Chinese soldiers on our side has not deterred the Indian border guards who made a human wall not to allow the Chine take the risk. They retreated after about two hours. Therefore along with the goodwill for the Chinese for constructive relationship, we cannot be complacent and let them sneak into our side.
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