India – China Relations – Infographics 2017

India -China relations are given highest priority by India in its international relations ,which is reflected today by regular exchanges at the highest level, sustained political dialogue on all outstanding issues, rapidly expanding economic relations and increasing cooperation on a growing number of regional and international issues.

Historical Timeline in Indo-China Relations

• India established diplomatic relations with the PRC on 1 January 1950.
• In April 1954, India and the PRC signed an eight-year agreement on Tibet that became the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (or Panchsheel).
• Border disputes resulted in a border war between the People’s Republic of China and India on 20 October 1962.
• Relations between the PRC and India deteriorated during the rest of the 1960s and the early 1970s as China–Pakistan relations improved and Sino-Soviet relations worsened. The PRC backed Pakistan in its 1965 war with India.
• In August 1971, India signed its Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Co-operation with the Soviet Union, and the United States. The PRC sided with Pakistan in its December 1971 war with India.
• The biggest change occurred in Sino-India relations in 1988, when Rajiv Gandhi visited China. A Joint Working Committee was formed to negotiate border disputes.
• This progress in relations and dialogues continued till 1998- The Pokran Nuclear Test deteriorated the relations.
• A new chapter was written in the bilateral relationship when PM Vajpayee visited China in 2003. Bilateral trade through Nathu La pass was reopened.
• India and China established a Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in 2005.
• During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit in 2014, under the investment plans, China pledged to:
  Help bring India’s ageing railway system railway system up-to-date with high-speed links and upgraded railway stations.
  Set up industrial parks in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
  Give more market access to India to products, including pharmaceuticals and farm products.

Potentials in Indo-China Relations

India and China are neighbours — each with a billion-plus population, together accounting for 38 per cent of the world’s population, with the fastest GDP growth rates for large economies, with China already (in PPP terms) the world’s second largest economy and India set to become the third largest in the intermediate future.

India and China are in common members of many international and regional groupings like BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) etc.

Major Issues in Indo-China Relations

• Encircling India with China’s One belt One Road Initiative
• China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
• Resolution in the United Nations to designate Pakistan-based militant group chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist was vetoed by the Chinese.
• Stapled visas issue in Arunachal Pradesh
• Border disputes
• Indian Membership in NSG and so on..

Way Forward

Both India and China need to deepen and broaden the roles they are playing in global governance mechanisms. The greatest contribution they can make to the G20 or other new mechanisms is to maintain robust domestic growth and ensure regional peace and stability.