The Sino-Indian Border Talks, 1981-1989: A View from New Delhi

Abstract

Rajiv Gandhi's visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC) in December 1988 was the first undertaken by an Indian prime minister since 1954. Though marked with considerable fanfare, including the inevitable trip to the Great Wall, the accomplishments of the visit were modest, primarily the creation of a Joint Working Group mandated to seek a solution to the long-standing border dispute. The two nations also agreed to broaden cultural, education, and scientific contacts. Finally, as stated in the ambiguous language of a diplomatic communique, New Delhi and Beijing agreed to maintain "peace and tranquility" along the border. From the Chinese standpoint, the most significant accomplishment was the explicit acknowledgment by Prime Minister Gandhi that Tibet is an internal affair of China. Chinese keenness to obtain this Indian endorsement was no doubt closely linked to the recent political stirrings in Tibet.