China–India Relations
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China–India relations China–India relations, also called Sino-Indian relations or China–India relations Indo-Chinese relations, refers to the bilateral relationship between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of India. Although the relationship has been cordial, there has been border disputes. The modern relationship began in 1950 when India was among the first countries to end formal ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan) and recognize the PRC as the legitimate government of Mainland China. China and India are the two most populous countries and fastest growing major economies in the world. Growth in India China diplomatic and economic influence has increased the significance of their bilateral relationship. Diplomatic mission Indian Embassy, Chinese Embassy, Cultural and economic relations between China and India date Beijing New Delhi back to ancient times. The Silk Road not only served as a Envoy major trade route between India and China, but is also credited for facilitating the spread of Buddhism from India to Indian Chinese East Asia.[3] During the 19th century, China's growing opium Ambassador Ambassador Sun trade with the British East India Company triggered the First Vikram Misri[1] Weidong[2] and Second Opium Wars. During World War II, British India and China both played a crucial role in halting the progress of Imperial Japan. Relations between contemporary China and India have been characterised by border disputes, resulting in three military conflicts — the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Chola incident in 1967, and the 1987 Sino-Indian skirmish. In early 2017, the two countries clashed at the Doklam plateau along the President Xi Jinping of China and Prime disputed Sino-Bhutanese border. However, since the late Minister Narendra Modi of India, during 1980s, both countries have successfully rebuilt diplomatic the former's state visit to India, and economic ties. In 2008, China became India's largest September 2014. trading partner and the two countries have also extended their strategic and military relations. Apart from trade and commerce, there are some other areas of mutual interest on which China and India have been cooperating of late. In the words of Rejaul Karim Laskar, a scholar of Indian foreign policy, "Currently, the two countries are cooperating on a range of international like trade, climate change and reform of the global financial order, among others, to promote common interest". Despite growing economic and strategic ties, there are several hurdles for India and the PRC to overcome. India faces trade imbalance heavily in some favour of China. The two countries failed to resolve their border dispute and Indian media outlets have repeatedly reported Chinese military incursions into Indian territory. Both countries have steadily established military infrastructure along border areas. Additionally, India remains wary about China's strong strategic bilateral relations with Pakistan, while China has expressed concerns about Indian military and economic activities in the disputed South China Sea. In June 2012, China stated its position that "Sino-Indian ties" could be the most "important bilateral partnership of the century". That month Wen Jiabao, the Premier of China and Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India set a goal to increase bilateral trade between the two countries to US$100 billion by 2015. Bilateral trade between China and India touched US$89.6 billion in 2017-18, with the trade deficit widening to US$62.9 billion in China's favour. In 2017, the volume of bilateral Premier Li Keqiang of China and Prime trade between India & China stands at US$84.5 billion. This Minister Narendra Modi of India, during figure excludes bilateral trade between India & Hong Kong the ASEAN Summit to Myanmar, which stands at another US$34 billion. September 2014. According to a 2014 BBC World Service Poll, 23% of Indians view China positively, with 47% expressing a negative view, whereas 27% of Chinese people view India positively, with 35% expressing a negative view. A 2014 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center showed 72% of Indians were concerned that territorial disputes between China and neighbouring countries could lead to a military conflict. The President of China, Xi Jinping, was one of the top world leaders to visit New Delhi after Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister of India in 2014. India's insistence to raise South China Sea in various multilateral forums subsequently did not help that beginning once again, the relationship facing suspicion from Indian administration and media alike. In 2020, the 70th anniversary of India-China diplomatic ties, 70 events will be held in celebration by the two countries. Various other activities are also planned. Contents Geographical overview Early history Antiquity Middle Ages Tamil dynasties Tang and Harsha dynasties Yuan dynasty Ming dynasty Sino-Sikh War British India After independence 1950s 1960s Later conflicts 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2017 Doklam standoff 2019 Bilateral trade Geographical overview China and India are separated by the Himalayas. China and India today share a border with Nepal and Bhutan acting as buffer states. Parts of the disputed Kashmir region claimed by India are claimed and administered by either Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Gilgit and Baltistan) or by the PRC (Aksai Chin). The Government of Pakistan on its maps shows the Aksai Chin area as mostly within China and labels the boundary "Frontier Undefined" while India holds that Aksai Chin is illegally occupied by the PRC. China and India also dispute most of Arunachal Map of Eastern and Southern Asia. Pradesh. However, both countries have agreed to (The border between the People's Republic of respect the Line of Actual Control. China and the Republic of India over Arunachal Pradesh/South Tibet reflects actual control, without Early history dotted line showing claims.) Antiquity The first records of contact between China and India were written during the 2nd century BCE. Buddhism was transmitted from India to China in the 1st century CE. Trade relations via the Silk Road acted as economic contact between the two regions. China and India have also had some contact before the transmission of Buddhism. References to a people called the Chinas, are found in ancient Indian literature. The Indian epic Mahabharata (c. 5th century BCE) contains references to "China", which may have been referring to the Qin state which later became the Qin Dynasty. Chanakya (c. 350-283 BCE), the prime minister of the Maurya Empire refers to Chinese silk as "cinamsuka" (Chinese silk dress) and "cinapatta" (Chinese silk bundle) in his Arthashastra. In the Records of the Grand Historian, Zhang Qian (d. 113 BCE) and Sima Qian (145-90 BCE) make references to "Shendu", which may have been referring to the Indus Valley (the Sindh province in modern Xiangqi, or Chinese chess, which, like Western Chess is believed to be Pakistan), originally descended from the Indian chess known as "Sindhu" in game of chaturanga.[29] The earliest Sanskrit. When Yunnan indications reveal the game may was annexed by the Han have been played as early as the Rishabhanatha, the founder of Dynasty in the 1st third century BCE. Jainism attained nirvana near Mount century, Chinese [28] Kailash in Tibet. authorities reported an Indian "Shendu" community living there. Middle Ages From the 1st century onwards, many Indian scholars and monks travelled to China, such as Batuo (fl. 464-495 CE)—first abbot of the Shaolin Monastery—and Bodhidharma—founder of Chan/Zen Buddhism—while many Chinese scholars and monks also travelled to India, such as Xuanzang (b. 604) and I Ching (635-713), both of whom were students at Nalanda University in Bihar. Xuanzang wrote the Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, an account of his journey to India, which later inspired Wu Cheng'en's Ming Dynasty novel Journey to the West, one of The Shaolin Monastery in Dengfeng, the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. According Henan, China. to some, St. Thomas the Apostle travelled from India to China and back (see Perumalil, A.C. The Apostle in India. Patna, 1971: 5-54.) Tamil dynasties The Cholas maintained good relationship with the Chinese. Arrays of ancient Chinese coins have been found in the Cholas homeland (i.e. Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Pudukkottai districts of Tamil Nadu, India). Xuanzang Memorial Hall in Nalanda, Under Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola, the Cholas had Bihar, India. strong trading links with Chinese Song Dynasty. The Chola navy conquered the Sri Vijaya Empire of Indonesia and Malaysia and secured a sea trading route to China. Many sources describe Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen school of Buddhism in China, as a prince of the Pallava dynasty. Tang and Harsha dynasties During the 7th century, Tang dynasty China gained control over large portions of the Silk Road and Central Asia. Wang Xuance had sent a diplomatic mission to northern India, which was embroiled by civil war just following the death of Emperor Harsha (590–647). After the murder of 30 members of this mission by the usurper claimants, Wang fled, and returned with allied Nepali and Tibetan troops to back the opposition. With his forces, Wang captured the capital, while his deputy Jiang Shiren ( 蒋师仁) captured the usurper and Chola Empire under Rajendra Chola c. sent him back to Emperor Taizong (599-649) in Chang'an as 1030 C.E. a prisoner. During the 8th century, the astronomical table of sines by the Indian astronomer and mathematician, Aryabhatta (476-550), were translated into the Chinese astronomical and mathematical book of the Treatise on Astrology of the Kaiyuan Era (Kaiyuan Zhanjing), compiled in 718 CE during the Tang Dynasty.[37] The Kaiyuan Zhanjing was compiled by Gautama Siddha, an astronomer and astrologer born in Chang'an, and whose family was originally from India.