After a long spell of Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai, the Chinese troops entered India and came up to Bomdilla in 1962. The resultant distrust for 50 years between the two countries has not ebbed away. It is time to take a dispassionate look at the border hostilities of 1962. There was a dispute over the Macmohan Line drawn in British days. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru implemented his ‘forward policy’ which included having isolated army outposts at or near the Macmohan Line to buttress India’s claims. The Chinese took exception to it and attacked Indian forces taking Arunachal Pradesh. But they themselves handed it back. It may be recalled that India had refused to accept an offer made by Zhou Enlai in 1960. India was asked to give up its claim to the Aksai Chin plateau. In exchange, China was prepared to give up his claim to the eastern sector. The territorial issue could have been settled at that time at what later became the Line of Actual Control. That would have cleared whatever misunderstanding might have arisen over India offering asylum to the Dalai Lama’s government-in-exile in 1957.
The situation has changed. India is more anxious to settle the LOAC than China. China is far ahead of India in economic and military power. The two countries have become economic partners. India-China trade has gone up to 60 billion dollars. But there is a trade deficit for India. India exports raw materials to China and imports manufactured goods. Chinese goods have swamped Indian markets to such an extent that there is suspicion of dumping. India needs to take a pragmatic view. The Tibetan lobby in Delhi should be kept in check. It will improve India’s economic relations with China and firm up the country’s internal security. Chinese political leadership is facing a change. That may bring China closer to democratic India. As a result, China’s secret overtures to Pakistan may be halted. An Asian axis of power as envisaged by former Prime Minister A. B Vajpayee may emerge. An example has been set by France and Germany. Their prolonged hostilities, largely caused by border disputes, have now led to economic union.