Does everyone know the Indian map which we see daily is not the actual map? On both sides of Kashmir On the east, it is occupied by china and west it is occupied by Pakistan. British didn't provide a definite border for India with china. They drew the border with some imaginary lines like Mcmahon Line and Makadney- McDonald's line. So till now Border dispute with China continues.
Refer to China-India Border Dispute in my previous post to know about the boundary dispute history.
India invests more than 10 percent of its GDP in military development and supplies. If I say that one war became the reason for such great investment..would you believe. Also, can you imagine the major reason for war is one man...that too he is not a dictator like Hitler or Mussolini but he is a Buddist Monk. Are you interested to know the reasons for the First Sino Indian war in 1962 and its consequences, we will see in this post.
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| Indian Borders (PoK and PoC) |
How was India - China relations before the war?
India and China acted as neighbours inspite of their border dispute. In 1949, the People republic of china was formed by Communists in China after the civil war. In the meantime after 1947, many religious civil wars broke in India, and in the Mid-1950s, both countries came back to normal life. As India followed Non-violence policy it was cordial with all neighbors and also had a policy not to attack other countries first.
In 1954 India signed Panchsheel accords for peace with China. Can you believe India only supported china to be a member of the UN against the wish of the UK and the USA? Also, Nehru gave Indias VETO power to china in 1960 (Now with this power China blocks many development activities in India). These were the status of the countries relation before the war.
India was ruled by J. Nehru called as architect of modern India and China was ruled by Mao Zedong who was the father of china.
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| Nehru and Mao Zedong |
What created war clouds between the countries?
There was a serious problem between China and Tibet. In 1950 China annexed Tibet claiming it had all the historical control over this land. India did not have any direct boundary with China. China claimed that., As they annexed Tibet all the treaties signed for the boundaries became invalid.
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| Tibet and China |
Then In 1959 Lhamo Thondup, who is recognized as 14th Dalai Lama organized to revolt against the Mighty Chinese empire. But China called Dalai Lama for a secret discussion without any security or Tibet war commanders. Fearing for his life Dalai Lama left Tibet with a bunch of men and settled In India. There is a universal principle that If anyone asks for political asylum, that country musty provide asylum for that person. According to that India provided asylum for Dalai Lama in Arunachal Pradesh.
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| Dalai Lama |
How did China react to this problem?
China used its border dispute to revenge back against India. Aksai chin was seen as a pass between China and Tibet as India holds this land as per treaties it decides to annex the land under his control. China laid roads in this area in 1956, but as India didn't expect these activities India did not react until 1959. From 1960 many small attacks occurred in the Aksai chin camps as India too began to follow forward the principle. The forward policy is nothing but a decision to occupy the frontier areas and also some posts were inside Tibet.
Explain the progress of the Sino Indian War?
On 1962 October 20, China declared war on India for its forward policy. Indian Patrols were attacked and as China anticipated the war after this attack, they were fully prepared. But on contrary India didn't expect such an attack from its neighbor and it was not even prepared for that mighty war. Indians cannot withstand the attack on China. China attacked India from two parts one through Arunachal Pradesh and another through Aksai Chin. After nearly four days China captured major areas in east India including Arunachal Pradesh up to Assam now. After that China decided to go on talks with India.
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| 1962 War areas |
What was the proposed treaty of China?
China requested India to deliver Aksai chin to China and also expressed its concern to retake the forward post-build by India. It also stated that India should take back the soldiers for 20 km from the border. As Nehru was not ready to damage the sovereignty of India by providing Aksai Chin did not accept the policy and ordered for a fierce war.
Explain the fierce battle of Sino China?
Again the war broke out on not 14th November (Birthday of Nehru), this time more Chinese forces entered India for fighting. Also, India was not in a mood to give away quickly. In the battle of Rezang La, t is said that some 123 men killed more than 980 PLA army were killed. This is said as one of the greatest warfare in high altitudes. India Did not use airforce or navy powers against China in this war as it thought that China will use the same against them which will cause more damage to their side. Also, America rejected to provide the necessary air support aide for India during the war. Russia as it was allied to China didn't support India during the war which was a major setback for Indians.
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| War memorial |
How did the war End?
In the end, more than 1300 Indian soldiers were martyred and 3000 soldiers went missing, also 4000 men were captured as prisoners. And china confirmed that 750 people were killed on their side.
As Chinas motive to impart fear on the Indian side was achieved, on November 21, the Chinese government provided a ceasefire that Aksai Chin will be under their control and all other policies will be according to the MacMohan line, which confirms that all the Eastern parts still remain under the control of India.
What was the impact of war on India?
On the Indian side, this war affected the stature of Nehru also his health. Nehru was broken down on the results of this war, later died in 1964. Henderson-Brooks-bhagat was prepared to check the reasons for the failure( As it criticized Indian Policy it was not available to the public). This loss made India think about the Defence sector which made India a self-developed nation in defense now.
Till now China is indulging in some minor fights with India, But Today India is not the same 1962 nation. It is fully developed and is having equal defense power to withstand the Chinese power. But if these two nations maintain peace, the Asian continent can live forever.
As said problems can unite unique minds, India was united by this war. All Indians irrespective of some civil wars, united against mighty China. As a famous quote " Failure is not the opposite of success, it is a part of it". Based on the lessons from this war, India won the 1972 and 1999 wars against Pakistan.
Thank you, readers will come up with other topics on another post.
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