Full Length Research Paper A History of Sino-Indian Relations: From Conflict to Cooperation Sheikh Mohd Arif S.O.S., in Political Science and Public Administration, Vikram University, Ujjain M.P. 456010. E-mail address: arifpolitical@gmail.com Accepted November 30, 2013 During the 1950’s the relations between India and China were flowery, based on the peaceful co - existence, but the Tibet issue, followed by a border dispute poisoned the climate of Sino-Indian entente cordiale. Nehru’s policy of no-dispute and no-negotiation policies finally led to a border war in 1962. From then on, Sino-Indian relations entered an era of cold war which lasted nearly 20 years. However during the era of Rajiv Gandhi (1988), the tension between the two countries was minimized and initiatives were taken for improvement in the relations. Since the end of cold war the relations between the two countries has steadily improved, and also strengthened in various fields of mutual interest. The continuous visits between the heads of state and officials have strengthened the relations and various issues including the border issue haves been in the discussion for resolution by mutual cooperation. The recent visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh brought a new direction in the bilateral relations. In this paper attempt has been made to trace the history of Sino-Indian relations. Key Words: India, China, Relations, Conflict, Cooperation. INTRODUCTION India—China relations have undergone dramatic changes over the past five decades, ranging from the 1950‘s with a deep hostility in the 1960‘s and 1970‘s to a rapprochement in the 1980‘s and a readjustment since the demise of Soviet Union. The post-cold war era has offered enormous opportunities to New Delhi and Beijing to move in the direction of a ‗productive relationship‘. Both countries have realized the imperative need for cooperation in diverse areas, especially in the trade and economic domains, in the long-term interest of peace and stability in Asia as well as for faster economic development and prosperity at home. During Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee‘s visit to China in June 2003, leaders of both countries not only emphasized the categorical need to deepen economic, trade and strategic ties, but also the need to explore a feasible framework for an early settlement of border question, which has been a contentious issue for more than four decades. Realistically, the fast-changing economic and strategic milieu punctuated by uncertainty brought about by globalization in macrocosmic terms, has created challenges as well as opportunities for both India and China to free themselves of ‗historical baggage‘ in terms of bilateral relations. In this chapter attempt would be made to give a historical background of Sino-Indian relations from the early 1950 to the present. (JAIN, 2004: 253-269). India and China are the two giants of Asia of the oldest and living civilization of the world. Sindhu and Ganges gave birth to Indian civilization, which influenced south and Southeast Asia. Similarly, Huangghe (Yellow River) and Changjiang (Yangtze River, The longest river of Asia; flows eastward from Tibet into the East China Sea near Shanghai) gave birth to the Chinese civilization, which on its part influenced northeast and Southeast Asia. Being neighbours India and China had established trade and International Journal of Political Science and Development Vol. 1(4), pp. 129-137, December 2013 DOI: 10.14662/IJPSD2013.013 Copy©right2014 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article © 2013 Academic Research Journals http://www.academicresearchjournals.org/IJPSD/Index.html