Tibet issue : –
🔹 In 1950 , China took over control of Tibet. Large sections of the Tibetan population oppose this takeover. In 1958 , there was an armed uprising in Tibet against China occupation. This was suppressed by the Chinese forces . In 1959 , the Dalai Lama crossed over into the Indian border and sought Asylum which was granted . The Chinese government strongly protested against this.
The Chinese invasion , 1962 : –
🔹 The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama , sought and obtained political asylum in India in 1959. China alleged that the government of India was allowing anti – China activities to take place from within India.
🔹 A little earlier , a boundary dispute had surfaced between India and China. India claimed that the boundary was a matter settled in colonial time , but China said that any colonial decision did not apply.
🔹 China claimed two areas within the Indian territory :
- i ) Aksai – chin area in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir and
- ii ) much of the state of Arunachal Pradesh in what was then called NEFA ( North East Frontier Agency ).
🔹 Between 1957 and 1959 Chinese occupied the Aksai – chin area and built a strategic road there.
🔹 China launched a swift and massive invasion in October 1962 on both the disputed regions. China declared a unilateral ceasefire and it’s troops withdrew to where they were before the invasion began.
Effects of Indo – China War : –
- China war dented India’s image at home and abroad.
- India had to approach the American and the British for military assistance.
- The USSR remained neutral during the conflict.
- This war induced a sense of national humiliation and at the same time : strengthened a spirit of nationalism.
- Some of the top Army commanders either resigned or were retired.
- The then Defence Minister , V K Krishna Menon had to leave the cabinet.
- Nehru was severely criticized for his naive assessment of the Chinese intention and the lack of military preparedness.
- For the first time , a no – confidence motion against Nehru’s government was moved and debated in the Lok Sabha.
India’s Relations with Israel : –
🔹 Israel gained independence from the British Colonial rule in 1948. Diplomatic relations formally developed between India and Israel after the opening of Israeli Embassy in India in 1992. India and Israel are strategic partners. The political ties between India and Israel are very warm and forward – looking.
🔹 Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a historic first – ever visit to Israel by an Indian Prime Minister on July 4-6 , 2017 , during which the relationship was upgraded to the strategic partnership.
🔹 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a return visit to India on January 14-19 , 2018. The two Nations have cooperation in various fields like cultural exchange , security and defence , Counter Terrorism , space research , water and energy and agricultural development.
India’s Relations with Its Neighbours Countries : –
🔹 India’s relations with its neighbours depend upon developments in individual countries but also the broader trends which shape the region as a whole. India’s relationship with neighbouring countries are discussed below in detail.
India’s Relations with Pakistan : –
🔸 Kashmir conflict : –
🔹 The conflict started just after the partition over the dispute on Kashmir. The issue was then referred to the UNO. The Kashmir conflict did not prevent cooperation between the governments of India and Pakistan. Both the government work together to restore the women abducted during partition to their original families.
🔸 Indus water treaty : –
🔹 The Indus water treaty was signed by Nehru and General Ayub Khan in 1960 with the meditation by the World Bank. In April 1965 , Pakistan launched armed attacks in the Rann of Kutch area of Gujarat.
🔸 Pakistan’s attack on India : –
🔹 This was followed by a bigger offense in Jammu and Kashmir in August and September. The Prime Minister Shastri ordered Indian troops to launch a counter offensive on the Punjab border. In a fierce battle , the Indian Army reached close to Lahore.
🔸 Tashkent agreement : –
🔹 The hostilities came to an end with the UN intervention . Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistan General Ayub Khan signed the Tashkent agreement , brokered by the Soviet Union in January 1966.
Bangladesh War , 1971 : –
🔹 Beginning in 1970 , Pakistan faced its biggest internal crisis. The country’s first general election produced a split verdict Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s party emerged as a winner in West Pakistan , while the Awami League led by Sheikh Mujib – ur- Rahman swept through East Pakistan. The Pakistani army arrested Sheikh Mujhe and unleashed a reign of terror on the people of East Pakistan.
🔹 In response to this , the Pupil started a struggle to liberate * Bangladesh * from Pakistan. Throughout 1971 , India had to bear the burden of about 80 lakh refugees who fled East Pakistan and took shelter in the neighbouring areas in India.
🔹 Pakistan accused India of a conspiracy to break it up. Support for Pakistan came from the US and China. Henry Kissinger , advisor to the US President Richard Nixon , made a secret visit to China via Pakistan in July 1971. In order to counter the US- Pakistan- China axis , India signed a 20 year Treaty of Peace and Friendship with the Soviet Union in August 1971.
🔹 This Treaty assured India of Soviet support if the country faced any attack . A full scale war between India and Pakistan broke out in December 1971. Within 10 days the Indian Army had surrounded Dhaka from three sides and the Pakistani army of about 90000 had surrendered. With Bangladesh as a free country , India declared a unilateral ceasefire. Later , the signing of the Shimla Agreement between Indira Gandhi and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on 3rd July 1972 formalised the return of peace between the two nations.
Kargil Confrontation : –
🔹 In 1999 several points on the Indian side of the LOC in the Mashkov , Kaksar and Batalik areas were occupied by Mujahideens , suspecting involvement of the Pakistani Army. This led to a confrontation between the two countries. This is known as the Kargil Conflict. By 26 July 1999 India had recovered control of most of the lost points / heights.
Effects of 1962 , 1965 and 1971 War : –
🔹 A decisive victory in the 1971 war led to national jubilation. After the 197 war , Assembly elections in most States took place , bringing large majorities to the Congress Party.
🔹 Conflicts with the neighbours derailed the five year plans. The resources were diverted to the defence sector especially after 1962. The Department of Defence Production was established in November 1962.
🔹 The Department of Defence Supplies was established in November 1965. The third Five year Plan ( 1961-66 ) was affected and it was followed by three annual plans. The fourth five year plan could be initiated only in 1969. India’s defence expenditure increased enormously after the Wars.
India – Nepal Relations : –
🔹 India is Nepal’s largest trading partners. India has provided transit facility to Nepal for the third country trade. Both public and private sectors of India have invested in Nepal. Nepal and India have common approach to regional and multilateral institutions.
India – Sri Lanka Relations : –
🔹 Trade between the two countries grew particularly rapidly after the entry into force of India . Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement in March 2000.
🔹 Tourism also forms an important link between India and Sri Lanka and India is the largest source market for Sri Lankan tourism.
Note : – Kindly refers to these topics ( India Relations with Nepal and Sri – Lanka ) in chapter five Contemporary South Asia world.
Class 12 Political Science Contemporary South Asia Notes
India’s Relations with Myanmar : –
🔹 India and Myanmar signed a Treaty of Friendship in 1951. Myanmar is significant in the context of our ” Act East ” policy. Myanmar is India’s gateway to South – East Asia.
🔹 India has responded promptly and effectively in rendering assistance following natural calamities in Myanmar like Cyclone Mora ( 2017 ) , Komen ( 2015 ) , earthquake in Shan State ( 2010 ) , Cyclone Nargis in 2008 and the recent outbreak of influenza virus in Yangon in July – August 2017.
🔹 India has extended development assistance to Myanmar on generous terms. The bulk of the assistance is grant – funded. India is also providing assistance in setting up institutions for higher learning and research , namely Myanmar Institute of Information Technology , Advanced Centre for Agricultural Research and Education , Myanmar – India Centre for Enhancement of IT Skills.
🔹 India – Myanmar Industrial Training Centres. Myanmar is potentially an important partner in the energy sector as future offshore gas can be piped to India.
India’s Nuclear Program : –
🔹 A significant nuclear program was initiated in the late 1940’s under the guidance of Homi Jehangir Bhabha. India wanted to generate atomic energy for peaceful purposes. China conducted nuclear tests in October 1964. It was a wake up Call for India. The first nuclear explosion undertaken by India in May 1974 , it was termed as a peaceful explosion. India conducted a series of nuclear Tests in May 1998 demonstrating its capacity to use nuclear energy for military purposes.
India’s Nuclear Policy : –
🔹 India’s nuclear policy has always been peace oriented. India will keep nuclear weapons for its defence. Advocates ‘ no first use ‘ of nuclear weapons. But in view of contemporary regional security challenges , policy of ‘ no first use ‘ can he reviewed. India is committed to ensuring its membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group ( NSG ) and opposing partisan and unjust nuclear treaties like CTBT and NPT.
India refuse to sign NPT and CTBT : –
🔹 India has opposed the NPT and CTBT since they were selectively applicable to the non – nuclear powers and legitimised the monopoly of the five nuclear weapon powers. Thus , India opposed the indefinite extension of the NPT in 1995 and also refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty ( CTBT ).
Related Chapters
Challenges of nation building
Era of one party Dominance
Politics of Planned Development
India’s External Relations
Challenges to and restoration of the congress system
The Crisis of Democratic Order
Rise of Popular Movements ( Deleted )
Regional Aspirations
Recent Developments in Indian Politics