Sino-India War of 1962: Here’s what you should know

Team Udayavani, Jun 16, 2020, 5:02 PM IST

The Sino-Indian in  1962 war is considered the biggest reference point in the history of India-China military standoffs.

It is  said that a disputed Himalayan border was the main cause of the war. It was a standoff between 10,000-20,000 Indian troops and 80,000 Chinese troops. The war continued for about a month and ended on November 21, after China declared a ceasefire

The first sign of discord between India and China came in 1950 when China invaded Tibet. This was blatant aggression as historically, Tibet has never been a part of China. The Tibetans looked up to India for help but India’s feeble protest merely antagonised the Chinese without helping the Tibetans.

However, India entered into the Panchsheel Agreement with China in 1954, hoping to put an end to Chinese provocation

But, in 1959 a serious border conflict emerged in border areas, there were some areas like Himalyas, Ladakh, Tibet and Thagla, which were exclaimed as disputed areas.

Mcmahon line was the border line of British India and China and after the British departed, India considered that particular line as an established border line with China. But, China ceased to identify this line as legitimate border line and considered these areas as a part of its own territory.

On July 10, 1962, around 350 Chinese troops surrounded an Indian post at Chushul and used loudspeakers to convince the Gurkhas that they should not be fighting for India

Later, On 20 October, 1962, they overwhelmed 7 infantry Brigade deployed on Namka Chu River in Western Arunachal Pradesh and launched massive offensives both in Ladakh as well as Arunachal Pradesh.

The Chinese also cut Indian telephone lines, preventing the defenders from making contact with their headquarters

By October 24, Chinese infantry (with light artillery support) had cleared both disputed areas, driving Indian forces from the region.

However, on achieving their objectives, the war ended with a unilateral Chinese ceasefire on November 20, 1962.