This refers to the infographic "Modi's China visit: A historical perspective (May 14). China's first Premier Zhou (then Chou) Enlai, first visited India in mid-1954 when the Panchsheel Agreement was signed and a deep friendship was epitomised by the slogan "Hindi Chini bhai bhai". The visit was followed by several other business-like visits by Chou and he - for sometime - became a familiar figure in certain circles of the Indian capital. But then commenced Chinese incursions into Indian territory and the bonhomie was over; the relations turned worse after the Dalai Lama was subjected to tyranny in Tibet in 1959 and sought asylum in India. People in India turned hostile to the Chinese regime and considered the "bhai bhai" slogan, a forgettable joke.
At the height of this tension between the two countries, Chou on his own (suo moto) announced his proposal to visit India. The government and most of the people looked at the offer with cynicism, while some saw in it a ray of hope.
The exact date of Chou's arrival in Delhi was April 18, 1960. I happened to be one of those who obtained a pass for his reception at the airport and went for it along with my young son, full of curiosity to watch how two nations having tense relations reacted to each other. Airport speeches were in Hindi and Chinese, the latter being translated into Hindi. Jawaharlal Nehru's speech was restrained, verging on being cold. He said that "We have welcomed you in the past also but in between things have happened which have saddened us." Chou, in his speech, exhumed warmth and enthusiasm; he commenced with respectful salutations to the great and ancient land Bharat (iss prachin evam mahan desh Bharat ki bhoomi ko sadar namaskar karta hoon). The gathering was far from thrilled. A small section tried the slogan "Hindi Chini bhai bhai" but it did not get any response and the two leaders drove out in an atmosphere of uncertainty.
The next few days were of intense political activity. Chou moved from house to house in Lutyens Bungalow Zone, of senior ministers (I remember Morarji Desai, the finance minister was one) to explain his viewpoint. The press was pessimistic from day one and largely hostile. In between, Chou got indisposed for a short time while some in his team went to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. At last, the newspapers almost gleefully announced the failure of the talks and Chou left a disappointed man. What followed is history.
I was among the few who felt that we did not take advantage of the initiative that Chou took. From the report in your paper, I find that I was right.
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At the height of this tension between the two countries, Chou on his own (suo moto) announced his proposal to visit India. The government and most of the people looked at the offer with cynicism, while some saw in it a ray of hope.
The exact date of Chou's arrival in Delhi was April 18, 1960. I happened to be one of those who obtained a pass for his reception at the airport and went for it along with my young son, full of curiosity to watch how two nations having tense relations reacted to each other. Airport speeches were in Hindi and Chinese, the latter being translated into Hindi. Jawaharlal Nehru's speech was restrained, verging on being cold. He said that "We have welcomed you in the past also but in between things have happened which have saddened us." Chou, in his speech, exhumed warmth and enthusiasm; he commenced with respectful salutations to the great and ancient land Bharat (iss prachin evam mahan desh Bharat ki bhoomi ko sadar namaskar karta hoon). The gathering was far from thrilled. A small section tried the slogan "Hindi Chini bhai bhai" but it did not get any response and the two leaders drove out in an atmosphere of uncertainty.
The next few days were of intense political activity. Chou moved from house to house in Lutyens Bungalow Zone, of senior ministers (I remember Morarji Desai, the finance minister was one) to explain his viewpoint. The press was pessimistic from day one and largely hostile. In between, Chou got indisposed for a short time while some in his team went to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. At last, the newspapers almost gleefully announced the failure of the talks and Chou left a disappointed man. What followed is history.
I was among the few who felt that we did not take advantage of the initiative that Chou took. From the report in your paper, I find that I was right.
R C Mody New Delhi
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number