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5/5/1960 - India and China: The Great Confrontation by Walter D. Friedenberg

WDF India China The Great Confrontation Golf Links New Delhi India Mr Richard H Nolte Institute Current World Affairs aison Avenue New York New York Dear Nolte After Chou En escorted through cerqonial elcome New Delhi Palam airport Javaharlal Nehru their places before stand micophones Nelu deeply pained expression spoke first Your Excel lency Prime inister welcoming today honored guest I rmined previous visits India It policy previously later fiendship betveen countries Unfortunate other events taken place since which great strain friendship which shock pople Thus rlations imperilled presentdfor future basis which stood shaken We faced grave roblems which disturb minds millions people It recover feelin faith friendship future depends I eamnestly trust efforts directed towards udoin happen recoverin climate friendship which relations ultimately depend Chou weariniN Earlands marigolds placed arotud mostlyo members Chinese Embassy staff India China Friendship ssociation responded pitchd Your Excellency espect Dar Prime inister Nchru Dear Indian friends I again capital great neighbor On behalf Chinese Governent people I would cordial reetings Inlian Government great Indian people jointl initiated Five Principles peaceful xistence There reason question cannot settled reasonably through friendly consultatio The fiendship between peoples China In everlasting History continue great solidarity thousand million people countries csm_not shaken force earth I China India friendship The follov Jing nizht banquet reident House Nehru propose toast Chinese visitor Suice prohibitionist India It strange matter great sorrow event shold oaped hemselves challenge basis belie peace peaceful methods people apprehend danger peceful frontier great Himalayan mountains which loved thousands years which stood sntlnels guarding inspiring eople I endeavors shall unhappy deteioration countries relations toward their etterment Chou responding speech touched unifying spirit Asia Africa param_ount China India economic development militazist fascist forces menacin peace security world approached border dispute In though there eourred certain difficulties owing temporary differuces opinion boundary question between countries certain unfortunate unexpected incidents should shake foundation standing friendship between peoples We recoo settle difficult aspects because extremely complicated question countries colonialism because countries attained independence share desire friendly cooperation possible bound longer outdated ideas Five nights later grand sandstone staircase inside President House unior official Indian iinismy xternal Affairs methodically passed mimeo graphed copies Chou Nelwu Joint Communique The pivotal The Prime inistes exolained fully their zespective stands problems affecting border areas This zreater understanding views Goven merits talks result resolving differences arisen Now officials sides would months begirning June examine check study historical documents records accounts other material relsvant boundary question which relied support stand report submission Governments A minutes later seated table ceilinged loggia overlooking IbSesident gardens Chou En fiddled straw lemon while interpreter State repor photographers assembled The Chinese Government consistently maintained since Sino Indian boundary never formall delimited Chinese Indian sides should reasonable settlement boundary question betweem countries through peaceful friendly consultations taking consideration historical background present actualities mting Five Pminciples ointly initiated countries adopting attitude mutual understanding mutual accommodation Immediately afterwards until clock morning Chinese Premier skillfully answered questions amiably putting blame failure talks Indian Government As plicit heirs British imperialists hinted India trols broad Easrn sector under urisdiction China uowever willing maintain present state sector boundary The disputed territory West Chinese throughout WDI histo thouEh claimedby India undefined manner requested Indian Government attitude towards secor Of boundary similar attitude which Chinese Government taken towards Eastern sector boundary attitude mutual accommodation But India Te reciprocate The morning Chou plane speeded noisily Nehru abrupl broke hands clasped behind be6an walking toward The reporters around hemmed faces notebooks pencils answered questions softly sadly There question barter matters Obviously committed Tession The basic tension emains Later House People Prime inister explained parliamentarians cause failure We against different facts Our argument Chinese forces territory ecently Their argument always there If facts different there meetin ground He agreeable Chou proposals settlement Two later Kathmandu Chou addressino press ference thumped table angrily The Prime Minister Rir lehru statement Indian Parliament after departure New Delhi which friendly China The follow parliamentary discussion Sino Indian talks Nehru remarked schoolmasterly claim certain occupied Chinese authorities retire necessarily something which likely appreciated liked other party If hours private talks between Chou Nehru sulted diplomatic language greate clarity views between their public utter bland followed talks resulted omplete clarity point India China finally confronted other modern times result conflict These lands ancient unique cultures until receutly dulled dominated alive important again nations enormous populations problems ambitions potential mi3ht other across hostile border The former impassable Himalayan barrier between reduced technology airplanes motor trucks Himalayan region converted rival national interests ention ChM historical nation comes Himalayan border seeming desire restore strength farthermost boundaries continuing liddle Kingdom China Communist state apparently expand territor influence Sov southern oeriphery India which traditionally assumed crest Hima layas crown continent stirred formidable threat India immediate certain there further Chinese provocations would demand resort Its larger settle dispute consistent Indian national pride safety ironically focus conflict world inaccessible dismal territory square miles mountain pesks sandy wastes higher virtually inhabited eastern Ladakh The Chinese claim s95are astern border revealed Chou New Delhi bargaining point serious claim Ecept small miles border valley entire controlled Indian adinistra soldiers The Western sector however Chinese found unoccupied early durin liberation Tibet built across flats Aksai Chin connect Tibet Sinkiang This India Jsmmu Kashmir State nealy impossible reach Indian lying behind three ranges mountains Indian patrols discovered Chinese built Last October Chinese tobps fired Indian patrol killed Before Winter snows travel impossible Chinese occupied square miles claim Through furor aroused India lengthy bitter diplomatic correspondence between Peking New Delhi Prime inisters talks Chinese acted though firmly intend territory their possession territorial dispute seized interest closer heart great confrontation China India competition between rivals power prestige conse quent ladership Asia among newly independent nations where Their different systems India constitutionally inchoately democratic China ruthlessly mnthusiastically totalitarian potential perhaps latent source flict which boundary dispute tapped developed Iasting Independent India New China AcPauowledging Communists ascent power sympathetic fellow Asia government India first nations announce diplomati ecoonition Pekin regime Full revolutionists fervor Chi ebuffed Indians squarely beration Tibet New Delhi suggested peaceful approach Peking replied foeign interference would tolerated There after Indian Government diplomatic measures verify special concern external relations Nepal Hi layan kingdom Sikkim Bhutu neighboring Indian tectorates None basic Indian approach toward China seemed blessed effective msker Accordingly India acted meditator Korean Indo Chinese became advocate rightful place Communist China U N Generally China seemed newly reasonable respectable Specifically China seemd respond India persistent friendliness Chou Nehru signed agreement Panch Shila Five Principles aggression interference recognition other sovereignty mutual peaceful eFstence On lavishly hospitable state visit China Nehru marvelled Chinese accomplishments spoke India special faculty interpreting China world When Chou returned visit hundreds thousands Indians lined streets shouted slogan Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai Indians Chinese Brothers Iniu Chinese cials mutually recalled years peace friend linking countries With Indian Government found satisfaction essential counts practically India assured peace Asia theoretically efficacy policy alignment Panch Shila vindicated On China gained distribution itself Asian country merly dominatedb Western powers after Xoreau Indo Chinese dedicated peace economic deve1opment Throughout period there general evasion facts historically China India limited intercourse currently their social values political systems fundamentally different inevitably uagonistic Beginning underlying sense copetition China India began surface China superior accomplishments comparable Five Year Plans explained viously India slower democratic methods attributed China totalitarianism Skepticism Chinese motives methods Indlaus watched IIundred Flowers bloom heard Peking vituperations aainst deviationist Yugoslavs articulate Indi special affinity observed dumping Chinese commodities disrupted Southeast Asian market In Summer communization Chinese countryside greeted India surprise contempt caused keener awareness basic diffeences Indian Chinese ideologies The disenchantment Tibetan revolt Spring There sympathy Dalai Lama personally Ibet lamaistic Buddhism Indiau parentage There shock vehemence Chinese quelling revolt distress assurance Tibet could serve buffer between Chima India pique India sympathy Dalai Lamadhis followers Chinese chared Indian eactionaies fomentin Indian Government helping Dalai Lama under duress Indian resentment flared The resentment ekanded partly prodding press Opposition members parliament persist ently inquisitive Congress revealed Chinese armed intrusions across Himalayan border early Now there storm grievances Chinese which claimed Indian territory buildino Aksai Chin alleged mistreatment Indian representatives nationals Tibet intrusions Chinese aircraft Indiau airspace Well heated Indian emotions flared again further border incidents fatal clash Konoka Pass Nehru himself seling practicing restr permitted himself accuse Chineseof aggression breachoffaith Id prideandafro The Chinese esponded accusations slander In diplomatic correspondence several months Governments beenoout their claims their co_uter arguments doing moderate lguage India maintained border based tradition follows cresb watershed principle mostly confirmed treaty previous Chinese governments require formal definition China insisted entire border hever delimited Indian Government assumed imperialis British encroachments border requires delimitation first It Chinese Premier first sou_ht meeting Indian counterpart Nehru rejected invita tions China shouldte ncessary liminery steps heighten chances succss Then Chou invited New Delhi Nehru wrote still common grouud between respective vieoints nevertheless thouht mihtbe helpful Unsaid Nehru invitation Chou remove Chinese troops Indian Chou counter offer Nehru accept status after talks Indian rejection Chinese offer their bogus claim Eastern boder exchange China remaining Western sector deadlock secure It ttulikely either Indian Chinese Government sumer forthcoming officials meetin relax their positions For China desirinT extend conmuications network along borders eastern Laah Aksai Chin corridor connectin northwest Tibet southeast Sinkiaug Perhaps Chinese Government calculates strategiC advantage offsets reduction advantages Indian amicability On other possible enmity China acguired belligerent Hmmalayas comoensated impression Chinese power created Indian other Asian minds For India unable remove Chinese territory either diplomacy prospect resignation status The reasons Indian mentality plain light India recent foreign affairs India fundamental cultural values tolerance moderation mediation violence fatalism Well expedienc national experience interest Contradictions arise Nehru could condemn aggression Suez regret unfortunate events Hunary Nehru could reject proposal Tibetsa issue U N grouds would expression strong opinion later condemn South African police firings restraint should mistaken strong feeling The Indi Government could armed force challenge View Indian sovereignty Hyderabad Kashmir continue olerate Portuguese enclave Goa thoit cculd easily overrun troops The Indian Government peace rnpageous China avoid territory Chi control India gained world reputation emphasizing moral aspects international affairs faces other nations necessity adustlng moral right losses international politics Saris WDF faction rightness acting peaceably toward China would enable Indian Government nation continu Chines presence Indian reluctant inevitable acquiescence None Indians China crisis sophisticating episode independent India history The Kashmir Pakistan involved threat India which nation responded forcibly sense internal affair extension strife accompanied Partition India However though India spectator commentator mediator peripheral participant number international conflicts thoughout World War II period China crisis marks first India subjected direct external threat national security The crisis stirred thinking debate regarding fundamentals India foreign policy Reduced formula India foreign policy Non alignment Cold War peace through Panch Shila India wishes remain involved conflict between lerican Soviet power blocs urges substitute hatred violence Cold War luiversally vali4 Five Pinciples peaceful ceexistence But direct challenge China opponents doubters critii n0unced olicy aliament panch Shila basis actual effectiveness The dissident voices those Communist 0pposi politicians newspaper editors columnists defiant mebers Nehru Congress Party students intellectuals officers silent stirred The charges slo_n realism complacency appeasement failure The complaints znent isolated India internationally Chinese repudiation Panch Shila destroyed Panch Shila Reasonable alternatives though lacking Nehru mnswer abandon alignment shelter under somebody umbrella others defend yourself protect because similarly Panch Shila replied right behavior correct p2inciples shall endeavor whatever other countries These appeals Nehru pride independence idealism unity crisis sonde effect But debate bvious Nebx influenced critics versa The leade nation Criticism Nehru effect pulling laroer world affairs dovaa India Without means doubting Nehru patriotism Nehru critics effect puttin patriotism For Nehru freely articulated concern zeaching aspects quarrel China Chou visit New Delhi Nehru showed awareness single important aspect preservation Indian national integrity security The difficulties China shifting currents India rslations countries internal processes For Indian Government proclaimed stronest terms vital interest Himalayau states Nepal Sikkim Bhutan aoression aoainst Nehru announced would taken aggression against India What steps India taken resist Chinese filtration covert subversion another question Toward Pakistan replaced China India leading foreign noire there beginning offers rapprochement There practical necessity solving Kashmir problem reference conversations common history Pakistan Toward United States there warmer feeling apparently these easons U S assisting India economic growth fundamentally Inlia defense there growig opinion perhaps America attitude toward Communist China unreasonable after resort U S would source military assistance The stock U S S R taking neutral stand between Communist India howeve limited Russia failure effective mediator dispute Internally resulted inlster Nehru being subjected serious sustained mitiism career Taken Parliament tdinG House confidence border incidents place Nehru explained ished Chinese Government without publicity apologized error telling Parliament As rarely years power Government obliged answer critical questions Congress Opposition benches And rarely Prime linister frank advice close leagues notably Vice President Dr Radhakrishnan Home inister Ps G B Pant Increasingly outspoken c2itlcism Neh important influence public undoubtedly Prime inister piqued occasionally denounce newspapers completely irresponm In running debate during which often seemed opposing Indians angry other Chinese vehement disapproval On Communist Party India V E Krlshna Linked their Chinese comrades Communists obliged share Indian disgust Divided themselves nationalists internationalists still managed silent Nehru criticized China parrot conciliatory Krishna Defense inistr whose sharp tongue mised leftist lanings upersuasiveness Nehru resented among fellow members Congress party aroused suspicion among silence Chinese threat WDF I0 Northern border ouohed alarm declaring violability ndian administeed territory after Prime Hinister escribed eastern Ladskh unadministere He urging nation entiree bundax which involves Pakistan border Ghina nalen concerned about Against criticisk KrishnaHenonhasrareldefenderhimself Thatobisdonebythe Prime Iniste vouche Erishna patriotism competence Among other changes loght about mountainous border areas formerly thought beautiful backward acknowledged stratic There military administrave changes accordingly The Army immediate responsibility defense areas having casual frontier constabularies And border districts reorganized charge capable senior civil servants giVen greatly increased allocatio building roads installation telecommunications general social economic development Through challene there change disillusionmen Watchfulness There remained Government maintain faith aligaent Nehru continue advocate Pan Shila ebers arliament still speak importance Sino Indian friendship world peace U N delegate continue support themembership Communist China eneral Assem though probably excessive ardor But chanes important these import_ant among concept feelin India country location India world Walter Friedenberg Received New York Iay