The Fractured Himalaya

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In the India-China relationship, the past significantly shapes the present, influencing policy options and public debate in India. The period from 1949 to 1962 is pivotal, as Jawaharlal Nehru attempted to forge a workable relationship with China, while pre-independence history, including British colonial interactions with Tibet and the origins of the McMahon Line, also play crucial roles. The military takeover of Tibet by Communist China and the deep-rooted belief among Indians that the Himalayas are the sacred boundary further complicate relations. Nirupama Menon Rao, a former Foreign Secretary of India, unravels this complex narrative through a blend of published documents and archival materials from various countries, alongside her personal experiences as India's Ambassador to China. She provides a practitioner's insight into the intricate negotiations and official interactions between the two nations during this era. The work rigorously examines diplomatic dynamics, highlighting critical moments when the relationship could have shifted but did not. Additionally, it delves into the personalities involved—Nehru, Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and the 14th Dalai Lama—and their interactions as events progressed toward the 1962 conflict.