The ‘Hindi Chini bhai bhai’ had been a popular slogan in the 1950s. Both countries advocated against imperialism and had their bilateral ties further strengthened by the Panchsheel Agreement in 1954. However, relations were short-lived when the Sino-Indian Conflict broke out in October 1962 across two theaters: the NEFA (present-day Arunachal Pradesh) and the Aksai Chin Area. The reasons which led to the breakout of this war are as follows:

1.) Territorial disputes: China has territorial disputes over 2 regions. The Aksai Chin which China claimed to be a part of Xinjiang, and the NEFA. Moreover, the McMahon line which was demarcated in1914 had been done without the consultation of China.

2.)India’s support to Tibet: China had annexed Tibet in 1950, after which India gave asylum to Dalai Lama in 1959. This angered the PRC. They claimed that India was instigating Tibetan rebellions in China.

3.) Geopolitical tensions: The timing was strategically planned. India failed to get assistance from America since they were occupied with the Cuban missile crisis. USSR remained neutral as it required support of China during the Cold War.

Significance: the war bought out grave deficits in India’s defence planning and budgeting. Defence minister VK Krishna Menon had to resign. Alliance with Russia was further strengthened to counter China’s expansionist policies. Throughout the years, India’s foreign policy has been adapted keeping in mind the 1962 war. Curbing China’s ongoing String of Pearls policy has been successful from the lessons learned in this war.