Sino-Indian War

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1962 border conflict between China and India

Sino-Indian War

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Map showing the disputed territories

The Sino-Indian War was a border conflict between China and India that took place in 1962. The main cause of the war was a dispute over the sovereignty of the Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh regions. The conflict resulted in a Chinese victory and significant territorial changes.

Background

The origins of the Sino-Indian War can be traced back to the colonial era when the borders between British India and China were not clearly demarcated. The McMahon Line, proposed in 1914, was a source of contention between the two nations. After India gained independence in 1947 and the People's Republic of China was established in 1949, the border disputes continued to simmer.

Course of the War

The war began on 20 October 1962, when Chinese forces launched simultaneous offensives in Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian military, unprepared for the scale and intensity of the attack, suffered heavy losses. The conflict lasted until 21 November 1962, when China declared a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew to pre-war positions in Arunachal Pradesh but retained control over Aksai Chin.

Aftermath

The Sino-Indian War had significant political and military repercussions for both countries. In India, the war led to a re-evaluation of military strategy and defense policies. The conflict also strained Sino-Indian relations for decades, although both countries have made efforts to improve bilateral ties in recent years.

Related Pages

• Aksai Chin
• Arunachal Pradesh
• McMahon Line
• Jawaharlal Nehru
• Mao Zedong
• Cold War