India and the Dynamics of World Politics

Chapter 2

India-China Relations

India and China emerged as independent states on the world map almost simultaneously in the post-World War II era. These were former colonies of the western countries, India under the British empire and China divided by colonial powers into areas of influence. Both countries inherited the same set of problems — poverty, underdevelopment, de-industrialized economy dependent on western countries for manufactured goods. This background made them members of the developing countries club, and indicated partnership and cooperation between them to develop their economies and improve the standard of living of their citizens.

In the post independent era, this development was indicated by foreign policy postures of both ...