🚨 UPSC EXAM NOTES presents the January edition of our comprehensive monthly guide. Access it  to enhance your preparation. We value your input - share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments section or via email at Support@upscexamnotes.com 🚨

Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on January 29, 2025

Daily Insights and Initiatives for UPSC Exam Notes: Comprehensive explanations and high-quality material provided regularly for students

India-China relations

For Preliminary Examination:   Current events of national and international importance

For Mains Examination: GS II - International relations

Context:

Marking a major diplomatic breakthrough after the disengagement process between India and China was completed last November, New Delhi and Beijing decided on a slew of measures to improve bilateral exchanges: resuming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer this year; restoring direct flights between the two capitals; issuing visas for journalists and think tanks, and working towards sharing trans-border river data, an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs 

Read about:

History of India-China relations

Standoff between India and China

Key takeaways:

The History of India-China Relations

India and China, two of the world’s oldest civilizations, share a long and complex history of interaction that has evolved over centuries. Their relationship has been shaped by trade, cultural exchange, historical conflicts, and modern geopolitical developments.

Ancient and Medieval Relations

• Historically, India and China were connected through the famous Silk Route, which facilitated trade and cultural exchange. Buddhism, which originated in India, spread to China around the first century CE and played a major role in shaping Chinese philosophy, art, and literature. Chinese monks such as Faxian and Xuanzang traveled to India in search of Buddhist scriptures, strengthening ties between the two civilizations.
• Despite their geographical proximity, political relations remained limited during the medieval period. The Himalayas acted as a natural barrier, preventing frequent military or diplomatic contact. However, indirect exchanges continued through Central Asia and maritime routes.

Colonial Era and Early Modern Period

During the colonial period, both India and China faced foreign domination—India under British rule and China suffering from European imperialism. The British used India as a base to sell opium to China, leading to the Opium Wars in the 19th century. However, there was little direct political interaction between the two countries during this period, as both struggled with their respective colonial challenges.

Post-Independence: Early Cooperation (1947–1959)

• After India gained independence in 1947 and the People’s Republic of China was established in 1949, relations between the two nations initially appeared promising.
• India was one of the first countries to recognize the new Communist government of China. The two nations emphasized their shared anti-colonial stance and promoted the idea of Asian solidarity.
• In 1954, India and China signed the Panchsheel Agreement, which laid out five principles of peaceful coexistence, including mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.
• Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai sought to build a friendly relationship, and the slogan “Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai” (Indians and Chinese are brothers) became popular.

Border Disputes and the 1962 War

• ---

  Share to Social

  ---