Author: Sudarshan Bhutani
Publisher: Roli Books
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 282
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8174363106
Description
In this book, Sudarshan Bhutani, who served in the Indian Embassy in China during 1957-62, critically narrates the political and diplomatic circumstances which led to the Indo-china war in 1962. He also analyses the role of the factors influencing China’s domestic and foreign policies-especially the impact of the Tibetan revolt and the constraints it placed on the realization of her place in the international community. These factors and China’s own warped image of Nehru’s role and standing had a decisive impact on the India-China boundary dispute. The Tibetan revolt proved the catalyst for a series of events: border incidents and the 1960 meeting of Nehru and Zhou Enlai in New Delhi amongst them. The steady crescendo of mutual mistrust set the stage for China, unleashing a full-scale ground war in 1962. The war went in China’s favour but brought no dividends except the formation of the Sino-Pak alliance.
Drawing on his rich diplomatic experience, Ambassador Bhutani has given readers an incisive and deeply researched book which is a must-read for scholars and students of international affairs.
REVIEWS
This well-researched book by a direct witness offers an absorbing account of the developing discord between India and China. If Nehru’s domestic critics confined his negotiating space, his power-conscious interlocutors in Beijing were ruthless in their public vilification of the man who genuinely desired and earnestly hoped for a peaceful settlement of the differences with China. The claim by Nehru’s critics that a four-world phrase, mutual understanding and mutual accommodation, offered by the Chinese was indicative of their desire for a fair border settlement is an exercise in self-deception.
-M Rasgotra, former Foreign Secretary.
A tightly written book which has marshaled all the relevant facts with regard to the Sino-Indian relationship during 1957-1962. It explodes many myths that had been surrounding he border conflict during hat critical period and has not ignored the broader perspective of the international developments of that time, specially relating to the approaches and policies of the Soviet Union and the United States. It should be read by both scholars and laymen who would like to understand what really happened during that period. It deals effectively and objectively, without and polemics, with that new breed of critics who wish to place all the blame on Jawaharlal Nehru and the Indian policy-makers.
-V P Dutt, former Pro-Vice Chancellor, Delhi University
A lucid account backed by patient research, vast diplomatic experience and acute analysis of the nuances of the Chinese view. The account of the revolt in Tibet which became the turning point in the evolving relationship is indeed fascinating and carries enough evidence of the damage it did to India-China relations.
-H K Dua, Editor-In-chief, The Tribune
Contents
Introduction
Setting
Revolt in Tibet
Indian Reaction and China’s Response
Turning Point
Treatment of Indians in Tibet
Border Incidents
Prime Ministers’ Correspondence
The Prime Ministers Meet
Growing Mistrust-I: Discussions on the Boundary
Growing Mistrust-II: Official Agencies
Growing Mistrust-III: Border Situation
Diplomatic Impasse
Prelude to War
War and Diplomacy
Aftermath: The Sino-Pakistani Alliance
In Retrospect
Appendix A: Sine-Burmese Boundary
Appendix B: Burma-China Border Map
Appendix C: Sino-Burmese Treaty of Friendship and Mutual Non-Aggression
Appendix D: Sino-Burmese Agreement
Appendix E: More on Nehru’s Philosophy
Appendix F: Concordance of Chinese Names
Index