Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.55

v2.c14.55

On February 9, 1942, Chiang Kai-shek and his wife arrived in New Delhi at the invitation of the British Governor-General of India and were greeted by people from all walks of life. While in India, Chiang Kai-shek spent most of his time in visiting and meeting important Indian figures, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Chairman of Muslim League), and women leaders Vijayalakshmi Pandit and Sarojini Naidu. Nehru thrice met Chiang Kai-shek and personally accompanied him to visit Visva-Bharati founded by Tagore. Before returning to China, Chiang Kai-shek published *Message to Indian People* on February 21 to make clear his position, saying that up till now, world peace had been threatened by brutal aggression and violence. India and China were closely related with a common destiny. Therefore, the two nations would have to work and fight together to combat aggression and do the best they can to achieve world peace. He urged the British authorities to return real political power to the Indian people as soon as possible.