Sino–Indian Agreement 1954

The Agreement between the Republic of India and the People's Republic of China on Trade and Intercourse Between Tibet Region of China and India 1954 was signed in Peking on 29 April 1954, and contained the first formal codification of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. In retrospect, especially following the 1962 war, the agreement has been seen as a "diplomatic blunder" on the part of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.[1]

Bertil Lintner writes that in the agreement, "Tibet was referred to, for the first time in history, as 'the Tibet Region of China'".[2]

Background

The 1954 agreement originates from the Convention of Calcutta, the Treaty of Lhasa, the Convention Between Great Britain and China Respecting Tibet, the Anglo-Russian Convention, Anglo Chinese trade regulations of 1908 and 1914, alteration of Aitchison treaty in 1938, failure of Tibetan appeal to UN, the Sino Tibetan Agreement 1951, Sino-India negotiations concerning Tibet, 1951 to 1953, and Sino–India conference on Tibetan trade and intercourse, December 1953 to April 1954.[1]

Negotiations regarding inclusion of passes

In December 1953, the Sino–India conference on Tibetan trade and intercourse started. During the negotiations related to which passes to include, Indian diplomats were successful in the inclusion of only six names. India tried putting forward other names, but did not push China and backed away after China showed resistance.[3] The Chinese also objected to the mention of Demchok as one of the passes.[4]

According to Claude Arpi (formatted into list for clarity),[3]

The passes/routes mentioned by Delhi were:
  • Tashigong, Gartok;
  • Spanggur Tso To Rudok;
  • Chiakang, Churkang, Ruksom;
  • Tashigong, Churkang, Ruksom;
  • Rudok, Ruksom, Rawang;
  • Bodpo La;
  • Shipki La;
  • Keobarang;
  • Shimdang;
  • Gumrang (Khimokul);
  • Tsang Chok La;
  • Muling La;
  • Mana Pass;
  • Niti Pass;
  • Tunjun-la;
  • Marhi La;
  • Shalshal Pass;
  • Kungri Bingri Pass;
  • Darma Pass;
  • Lampiya Dhura (Lampiya Lekh);
  • Mangshadhura and
  • Lipu Lekh.

Summary of agreement

Preamble

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence or Panchsheel upon which the articles of the treaty were based are listed as:[5]

  1. mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty,
  2. mutual non-aggression,
  3. mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs,
  4. equality and mutual benefit, and
  5. peaceful co- existing

Articles

Article I of the agreement paved the way for the establishment of Chinese trade agencies at New Delhi, Calcutta and Kalimpong and Indian trade Agencies at Yatung, Gyantse and Gartok. These Trade agencies "would enjoy freedom from arrest while exercising their functions" among other privilege's.[5]

Article II stated that traders of both countries would trade at pre-determined places. "The Government of China agrees to specify Yatung, Gyantse and Phari as markets for trade. The Government of India agrees that trade may be carried on in India, including places like, Kalimpong, Siliguri and Calcutta, according to customary practice." Also, the "Government of China agrees to specify Gartok, Pulanchung (Taklakot), Gyanima-Khargo, Gyanima-Chakra, Ramura, Dongbra, Puling-Sumdo, Nabra, Shangtse and Tashigong as markets for trade"; and in the future the Government of India shall specify markets "on the basis of equality and reciprocity to do so".[5]

Article III covered pilgrimages by religious believers of the two countries outlined certain provisions for pilgrims of both countries.[5]

Article IV pointed out some passes and routes which traders and pilgrims may use: Shipki La pass, Mana pass, Niti pass, Kungri Bingri pass, Dharma pass, and Lipu Lekh pass.[5]

Article V covered details related to certificates issued to traders, permitted traders to use other routes that those mentioned in Article IV and border transit procedures.[5]

Article VI outlined that "upon ratification by both Governments and shall remain in force for eight (8) years" and the procedure for extension.[5]

The agreement was signed Nedyam Raghavan, Plenipotentiary of the Government of the Republic of India and Chang Han Fu, Plenipotentiary of the Central People's Government, People's Republic of China.[5] Raghavan was the Indian Ambassador while Chang Han-fu was the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister.

Further, notes were exchanged.[6]

References
  1. Gupta, K. (1978). "Sino-Indian Agreement on Tibetan Trade and Intercourse: Its Origin and Significance". Economic and Political Weekly. 13 (16): 696–702. ISSN 0012-9976. JSTOR 4366549 – via JSTOR.
  2. Lintner, Bertil (2012-08-01). Great Game East : India, China And The Struggle For Asia's Most VolatileFrontier. HarperCollins Publishers India. pp. Introduction. ISBN 978-93-5029-536-6.
  3. Arpi, Claude (2020-08-28). "The History of Barahoti Plain" (PDF). Claude Arpi. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  4. Arpi, Claude (August 2015). "The Panchsheel Agreement (Book Excerpt: Tibet - The Lost Frontier)". Indian Defence Review. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  5. "Tibet Justice Center - Legal Materials on Tibet - China - Sino-Indian Trade Agreement over Tibetan Border (1954) [p.185]". www.tibetjustice.org. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  6. Notes Exchanged. Peking, April 29, 1954. pp 125—133.
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