Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s2.t5.14

v2.c14.s2.t5.14

The visit was regarded as a major event in the history of India-China relations as it was the first visit to China by an Indian Prime Minister in 34 years after the ‘*Panchsheel*’ agreement was signed in Beijing on April 29, 1954. It marked a departure from the mutual mistrust that had frozen the relationship between the two countries since the India-China border conflict in 1962. During Gandhi’s visit, both governments signed the Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology, Civil Air Transport Agreement, and the Executive Programme regarding the Agreement for Cultural Cooperation Years for the years 1988, 1989 and 1990. The Indian delegation also toured historical sites and scenic spots in Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai and encouraged the practice of learning from each other in future.