Decades of British colonial rule had finally set India free a mere 15 years ago. To transform a nation grappling with severe poverty and illiteracy, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was at the forefront of crafting strategies for social and economic empowerment on the domestic front. While relations with neighboring Pakistan had always been strained, India shared cordial ties with China.
Jawaharlal Nehru, known for advocating “Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai” (India-China Brotherhood), was taken aback one fateful morning in 1962. News of a Chinese military incursion at the Indo-China border, where Indian soldiers were facing a meticulously planned attack by Chinese forces, dealt a severe blow.
China had crossed the Ladakh and McMahon Line, attacking a small Indian contingent with modern weapons and heavy artillery when the Indian Army possessed considerably fewer and less advanced firearms and ammunition than their Chinese counterparts.
China’s Calculated Assault
The challenging terrain, covered in snow and mountains, limited the number of Indian troops stationed there. Yet, the Chinese soldiers initiated a sudden, intense firefight with Indian forces. Amid the echoes of “Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai,” this calculated move shattered India, marking the infamous date of October 20, 1962. Although this treacherous maneuver severed the bonds of friendship between India and its neighbor, it ultimately left a lesson that became the backbone of a stronger India today.
In response, the Indian Army has since maintained a vigilant presence along the Chinese border. They stand firm against Chinese forces, demonstrating not only resilience but strength. On this very day, October 20, we delve into the history of the Chinese aggression that led to a turning point in India’s history.
India Rejects Permanent Membership in the United Nations Security Council
India gained independence on August 15, 1947, and China, as a republic, had already been established just two years later in 1949. Initially, both nations enjoyed warm relations. However, it is said that India declined permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council as a gesture of goodwill towards China. Jawaharlal Nehru, championing the “Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai” slogan, set an example of friendly relations with the neighbor. Nevertheless, tensions began to escalate between the two nations starting in 1959.
This was a period when China, under its communist government, aggressively expanded into the Tibetan territories. Following the Tibetan uprising, India offered refuge to the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. This move, in part, instigated China’s hostility towards India, and the result was the battle of October 20, 1962.
China’s Attack with 80,000 Troops
At the time, India had barely been free for over two decades and was focusing on strengthening its internal affairs. In 1962, over 80,000 Chinese troops crossed the border into India, infiltrating Ladakh and the McMahon Line. They launched an assault on Indian posts in the mountainous regions where only 10,000 to 20,000 Indian soldiers were stationed. After an initial period of fighting, a ceasefire was declared on November 21, 1962. In this war, India faced a significant defeat.
Nehru’s Deteriorating Health After the Loss
It is said that the loss in this war shattered Jawaharlal Nehru, and within just two years, on May 27, 1964, he bid farewell to the world. The day China attacked India, Nehru had addressed the nation, and for a month afterward, he couldn’t communicate with the Indian people. However, on November 20, 1962, when he finally met his fellow citizens, he admitted that China had deceived them, simultaneously preaching peace while launching continuous attacks.
China’s Ambush on Its Own Communist Party for Control
India had long criticized China’s dual policy for this war. In 2012, a top Chinese strategist, Wang Jisi, claimed that China’s paramount leader at the time, Mao Zedong, devised a strategy to strengthen the Communist Party’s control after the failure of the Great Leap Forward movement. India was subjected to a calculated attack by China, which garnered worldwide condemnation.
India Turned the Tables in Just 5 Years, Taming China
Although India was shaken by the 1962 war, it managed to turn the tide against China within just five years. In 1967, China attempted a similar incursion as in 1962. This time, the Indian Army delivered a resounding defeat. On September 11, 1967, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched an attack on Indian border posts in Nathu La. The Indian Army fought back valiantly, and the fierce battle resulted in nearly 400 Chinese casualties in the form of dead bodies.
The Indian Army forced China 20 kilometers behind the line, establishing that Nathu La was indeed Indian territory. It was an audacious decision, led by General Sagat Singh Rathor, who refused to obey the Indian government’s orders declaring Nathu La as Chinese territory. He argued that Nathu La had always been a part of India, and the border extended deep into Chinese territory.
This historic event, which unfolded on the same date when China had attacked India, marks a pivotal moment in India’s history, showcasing its unwavering spirit and determination to protect its sovereignty.
