Chinese Invasion of India 1962
On October 20, 1962, whilst the world was listening tensely to the Cuban Missile Crisis, China began an invasion of India mainly caused by the territorial disputes formed by Chinese invasion of Tibet. The war was especially short, and it was evident that China claimed victory. However, it still overshadows present-day Sino-Indian Relations, despite the various ways that the relation has mended and grown. The war of 1962 made the Tibetan territorial issue as an external part of conflict and disagreement in Sino-Indian relations. As a result, this war influenced the bilateral relations in important and pressing ways.
The issue of Tibet originated long before the war. China accused India of attempting to destabilize China’s authority in Tibet; India was indicting China for oppressing Tibetan autonomy. The Dalai Lama in India was a strategic asset, but it was also a double edged sword. The presence of the Dalai Lama made the war de facto irreversible which made a constant prick in the side for Sino Indian relations as well as the unresolved status of the Tibetan conflict.
From China’s point of view, the Dalai Lama’s government is exile has been a constant and relentless challenge to Beijing’s authority in Tibet. On the other hand, Delhi, believes that it is a symbol of China’s unwillingness to grant Tibetan autonomy. Although this has given India the ‘Tibet card’ to play against the Chinese on the international arena, it also shows that Delhi has isolated itself as it cannot control the Dalai Lama nor deport him in the fear of domestic and international reaction. Concluding this paragraph, all this has done is ensure the constant clash and tension between the two giant Asian powers.
On a diplomatic point of view, Sino-Indian relations has always been a product of Sino-Tibet relations. As C. Raja Mohan has simply explained, “When there is relative tranquility in Tibet, India and China have reasonably good relations. When Sino-Tibetan tensions rise, India’s relation with China heads south.” Sino-Indian relations therefore has also been reflective of the ethnic conflict, clashes between Chinese authorities and Tibetans as well as the policy regarding the Dalai Lama, they are all evidently beyond the jurisdiction and control of Beijing and Delhi. Therefore, because of the random elements and variables at play, Sino-Indian relations have been always hard to predict and safely judge. This instability has been frequently accessed and interfered with by a ticking time bomb that is known for its unpredictability, the iminnent reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.
“History’s Hostage: China, India and the War of 1962.” The Diplomat. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 June 2014.
Social Studies for Fun 