Contemporary Centres of Power | Class 12 Political Science Notes

India – China Relations

Historically, India and China were major powers in Asia with distinct spheres of influence and limited direct interaction. After India’s independence and China’s establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949, there was initial hope for cooperation, symbolised by the slogan 'Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai' (India and China are brothers). However, tensions arose over the Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1950 and unresolved border disputes, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin regions. The 1962 Sino-Indian war resulted in military setbacks for India and strained diplomatic relations until 1976. Since the late 1970s, relations have improved gradually, with China adopting a pragmatic foreign policy. Talks on border issues began in 1981 and have continued intermittently. Economic ties have grown significantly, with bilateral trade increasing from $338 million in 1992 to over $84 billion in 2017. Both countries cooperate in international forums and have signed agreements on cultural exchanges and technology cooperation. Despite ongoing border disputes, China’s support for Pakistan and other strategic concerns, India and China continue dialogue and military cooperation to maintain peace. Recent tensions have arisen over border incursions and geopolitical issues, but both nations recognise the importance of stable relations given their status as rising global powers.

📊 Diagram: Photographs of recent high-level visits by Chinese President Xi Jinping to India and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China illustrate ongoing diplomatic engagement.

🔗 Connection: Leads to study of other Asian powers such as Japan and South Korea.