How Did India, China Become Enemies? The Age-Old Rivalry Explained | World News
New Delhi: The tensions between India and China run deep and are based on a complex history that comes before independence. The origins dates back to 1914, when the British Indian government and Tibet signed an agreement that defines the border between India’s northeast region, including Tawang and the outer Tibet. This border was known as the McMahon line, named after Sir Henry McMahon, who represented England during the negotiations. The British later released a map showing this limit in 1938.
India gained independence in 1947, and then the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 came. Since then, he rejected the agreement between Beijing, England and Tibetla, claiming sovereignty over the Tibet and refused to accept previous agreements. At that time, China’s stance was not clearly aggressive.
In 1951, China controlled the Tibetan and intensified tensions. Beijing claimed that he had liberated Tibet, and India continued to recognize Tibet as a separate being. In 1972, Arunachal Pradesh was called a union region and until 1987, he reached full state known as the North East Frontier Agency.
This development further aggravated China, which began to violate the McMahon line and accelerated military activities near the real control line of more than 1,100 kilometers. China also published maps claiming allegations about some parts of Arunaçhal Pradesh.
In 1958, Beijing increased issues by publishing a new official map that pushed regional claims beyond the previous borders. This map included Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and even Uttar Pradesh, along with the entire northeast region of India. China demanded a survey about these controversial areas.
On December 14, 1958, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru rejected these demands firmly and declared that these regions were an integral part of India.
Following this, China has repeatedly made attacks along the controversial border that reached its peak during the 1962 War. On October 20, 1962, Beijind launched attacks in Ladakh along the McMahon line. The conflict lasted until November 21, when China withdrew its forces. Since then, tensions have frequently continued with border conflicts, but recently it has a little alleviated.
Currently, relations between the two countries show signs of dissolution. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China later in this month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit (first visit since 2018).
The 2020 Galwan Valley Clash had significantly pushed ties, but after Modi last year and the summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping in Russia, Russia, subsequent meetings helped to ease the tensions.
China supported India against the basis of the US tariffs and penalties in India, and proposed a cautious but hopeful transition to future cooperation.
