Sino – Indian War 1962 | By Dr. Mahipal Singh Rathore

Table of Contents

INDIA – CHINA Relations

1947- Independence of India
1949- Communists win the civil war
and People’s Republic of China established.
Cordial relations initially- India first country to recognise PRC, favoured admittance to UN
1950- China annexes Tibet claiming historical rights over the territory.
1954 – Signing of Panchsheel accords Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence under which India acknowledged Chinese sovereignty in Tibet.

Boundary Dispute

The border was disputed and undemarcated since British and Chinese empire’s time period. Mostly based on local traditional areas of dominance and natural barriers .

NEFA/Tawang/South Tibet

Aksai chin

1956- China constructs a road linking Xinjiang to Tibet via Aksai chin
1959- Uprising in Tibet crushed by Chinese military. Dalai Lama flees to India and given refuge.

QUESTION Where is the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile??

• 1960 – Zhou Enlai visits the India and proposes a status quo(AksaiChina,NEFA-India) which is rejected by Nehru.
• 1959-61 – Continuous skirmishes between border patrols and minor attacks on Indian posts leading to death of Indian soldiers

The Forward Policy- 1960

P.M.Nehru decided that Indian army should occupy the frontier areas along the MACMOHAN LINE and in AKSAI CHIN. Some posts were even North of the McMahon line.

The War

• 20 October to 21 November 1962
• China over runs NEFA and Tawang in 4 days only.
• A lull in fighting for 3 weeks as negotiations start.
• Again a week of Intense fighting in Aksai Chin and NEFA The battle of Rezang La in Ladakh 123 men of 13th Kumaon ,led by Maj.Shaitan Singh (PVC) kill ~1000 PLA Soldiers at heights of 17000 ft. Indian casualties – 1386 KIA 1700 MIA No use of Air Force,Navy High altitude warfare

The Ceasefire

Unilateral ceasefire by China on 21 November. Army retreats to beyond MacMahon line in NEFA Aksai chin in firm control of China.
Reasons- • Objectives of China achieved- Show of power for territorial dispute Indian forward policy checked
• USA,UK and USSR supported India
• Fear of USA entering the fight

IMPACT in INDIA

• J.L.Nehru’s prestige suffers a huge blow, especially his stature as a statesman and diplomat.
• Henderson-Brooks –Bhagat report – on the failure in war . It is still classified.
• India strengthened its army and weapons system
• Wary of China – Pakistan not the only threat in future