2016 №2 (51) Article 7

Yu.O. Tolmachev

The Sino-Indian border conflict of 1962. P. 73- 82.

UDC 327(510:54) «1962»

The article generalizes some most significant events, and tendencies of the Sino-Indian border conflict. The article describes the border conflict, analyzes the dynamics of the intercultural interaction, provides a detailed description of violent border incidents. It maintains that the political decision of Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India, was greatly influenced by public opinion. The article analyzes Chinese and Indian printed materials, which registered the growing tension in the Sino-Indian relations. The Sino-Indian conflict was greatly due to the policy of symmetric responses employed by both countries. If Delhi established a post at a disputable territory, the Chinese mirrored the action. The analysis of diplomatic papers shows that each country focused on its own national interests, which prevented the parties from reaching a unified agreement concerning the border conflict. Moreover China used the language factor as an excuse for not accepting the arguments provided by India. The author of the articles concludes that Delhi’s unwillingness to negotiate the disposition of territory that was subject to overlapping claims with the People’s Republic of China resulted in a short border war in October 1962.

China, India, border, conflict, dispute

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