Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s2.t5.1

v2.c14.s2.t5.1

On April 1, 1950, the Republic of India and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations formally. Thereafter, Chinese leaders have visited India many times on the invitation of Indian leaders, with the results of deepening mutual understanding, promoting the bilateral relations and strengthening India-China friendship. Zhou Enlai, Premier of the Government Administration Council of the People’s Republic of China (present-day State Council of the People’s Republic of China), was invited to visit India for the first time during June 25-28, 1954. During the visit, he had six formal meetings with Jawaharlal Nehru, the Indian Prime Minister, reaffirming the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence guiding India-China relations and met Rajendra Prasad, the Indian President, and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the Indian Vice-president. Premier Zhou Enlai paid his second visit to India to discuss with Nehru on the border issues from November 28 to December 10, in 1956. He made a speech at the joint conference of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha of India to appraise and express great expectations of India-China friendship and unity and to state the position and viewpoint of the Chinese Government regarding international situations. In addition, he also visited Delhi, Mumbai, Madras and Calcutta. Premier Zhou Enlai paid his third visit to India from April 19-26, in 1960. He met Indian President Rajendra Prasad and had multiple meetings with Nehru to exchange opinions on the border issues and India-China relations, after which the Joint Communiqué of the Premiers of China and India was published to express that the two countries would solve the border issues jointly.