The essentials
After independence, India and China had friendly ties, summed up in the Panchsheel (five principles of peaceful coexistence) of 1954. Relations were damaged by the border dispute and the war of 1962, mainly over Aksai Chin and the region that is now Arunachal Pradesh. Contacts improved slowly; Rajiv Gandhi's visit to China in 1988 opened a new phase of dialogue on the border and on trade. Since the 1990s trade between the two countries has grown substantially, and they hold regular talks, though differences over the boundary remain.
Japan rebuilt its economy after the Second World War and became a leading industrial and technological power, known for brands in electronics and automobiles. It is the only country to have suffered atomic bombing in war. Japan has been an important source of development assistance and investment for India.
South Korea grew rapidly from the 1960s onwards, a transformation often called the "Miracle on the Han River". It developed strong industries in electronics, shipbuilding and automobiles and became a member of the OECD in 1996.
Key points
- India and China are both large, populous, nuclear-armed neighbours with growing economies.
- Despite the boundary question, they cooperate in trade and in some multilateral forums.
- India's Look East policy (from the early 1990s) aimed at stronger ties with South-East and East Asia; it was later renamed Act East.
- Japan and India cooperate in infrastructure and technology.
- South Korea is a significant trade and investment partner for India.
Exam tips
Learn the key dates: Panchsheel (1954), war (1962), Rajiv Gandhi's visit (1988). Questions may ask which statement correctly describes post-1988 relations.
Common mistakes
- Believing that the boundary dispute has been fully settled. It remains under negotiation.