Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c4.s2.152

v1.c4.s2.152

The developments leading up to the 1962 border clash between the two countries and its aftermath led to a disruption in the normal interaction between India and China for a number of years. A few attempts were made in the 1970s to revive contacts, particularly through the agency of Dr Basu who had been part of the Indian Medical Mission during World War II. Dr Basu visited China several times from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s and when he died, his ashes were scattered both in India and China as per his wishes. A few other goodwill and informal exchanges also took place in this period, but contacts remained limited although preparations were being made for the revival of relations. In 1979, the Indian Foreign Minister A. B. Vajpayee became the first high level Indian dignitary to visit China after many years. In early 1980s, Indian and Chinese leaders met each other on the sidelines of various international summits.