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Sino-Indian War - 1962 Module - V
Major Wars Post
Independence
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Note
SINO-INDIAN WAR - 1962
The Sino-Indian War also known as the Sino-Indian Border Conflict was a war between
China and India that happened in 1962. There were a number of reasons why China
attacked India. In 1959, Indian Prime Minister had met Chinese Prime Minister and
said Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai. Yet China decided to betray our trust and made a surprise
attack.
Objectives
After studying this lesson, you will be able to:
describe the border dispute between China and India;
Identify the key issues between India and China which led to the 1962
conflict and
list the course of events of Sino-Indian war in 1962
17.1 Genesis of the Problem between India and China
What was the problem between India and China?
When we got independence, our leaders declared a foreign policy that said
India and China are two equal and great powers of Asia. China did not agree
and wanted to be the only power. Therefore, it first captured Tibet and made it
part of China in 1950. In 1959 because of atrocities on the Tibetan people and
Dalai Lama (religious head of Tibetan people) fled Tibet, India gave refuge to
Dalai Lama and his folowers in India.
From military point of view, the border between India and China in Arunachal
Pradesh, was drawn by a British shown by Sir Henry McMahon line in 1914.
It was accepted by Tibet. But China did not agree and said Tibet was not an
independent country and could not make border agreements.
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MILITARY HISTORY 41