70 years ago, on 1st April 1950, India and China established their diplomatic relations. Being the first non-socialist nation to do so with the People’s Republic of China, India made the phrase ‘Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai’ popular. This article takes a look at the journey these two nations have taken together since then, chronicling key events and initiatives that have shaped their relationship.
The 1950s and 60s – Early Solidarity and Conflict
In 1955, both countries attended the Asian-African Conference, an event that would lead to the decolonisation of Asia and Africa and the birth of the Non-Aligned Movement as an alternative between Two Blocs of Superpowers. However, in 1962, a border conflict posed a serious setback to these growing relationships.
Regaining Momentum Post-1976
After the restoration of ambassadorial relations in 1976, the bilateral ties slowly improved. Major strides were taken in 1988 when Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited China, kickstarting the normalization process of the relations.
India-China Diplomatic Relations in the 1990s
In 1992, Indian President R. Venkataraman visited China, being the first to do so since India’s independence. Four years later, Chinese President Jiang Zemin became the first head of state from China to visit India since the establishment of bilateral ties.
The Advent of the 21st Century – Progress and Cooperation
The turn of the century marked significant progress with President K R Narayanan’s visit to China and the signing of several agreements, fostering mutual confidence. In 2008, both nations agreed upon “A Shared Vision for the 21st Century”. The following decade saw an increase in people-to-people and cultural exchange activities, further bolstering the ties.
Informal Summits and Meetings: 2015 – Present
In 2018, an informal meeting in Wuhan set a new tone for the relationship between the two leaders. The year 2020 marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, designated as the China-India Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges.
Facts and Figures on India-China Cooperation
There’s a long history of political and diplomatic relations between these countries, with the Communist Party of China maintaining friendly exchanges with major Indian political parties. Economically, there’s been a staggering growth from less than $3 billion to nearly $100 billion in trade since the 21st century began.
Collaboration in Science, Technology, and Defense
Joint Research workshops on Science and Technology Innovation evidence collaboration, with Indian IT firms establishing corridors in China. Their defense collaboration includes joint anti-terror exercises and defense consultation.
People-to-People Exchanges Stimulating Mutual Growth
Marked progress has been witnessed in art, media, film, television, sports, youth, tourism, traditional medicine, yoga, education, and think tanks through high-level people-to-people and cultural exchange mechanisms. Several sister city and province pairs have also been established as part of this initiative.
The Road Ahead for India-China Relations
The successes achieved in India-China relations reflect the diligent efforts made by several generations. To continue fostering this relationship, both nations need to lead, transmit, shape, and integrate their shared goals and interests effectively. Revisiting the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations 70 years ago can provide valuable insights and motivation in this journey.