India, Oct. 16 -- India gained independence on August 15, 1947, becoming free from British rule. China's independence, or rather the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC), is marked by October 1, 1949, when Mao Zedong declared the formation of the PRC after the Chinese Civil War.

The initial period of India-China relations was marked by optimism and the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1950. In fact, following the establishment of the PRC in 1949, India was the first non-communist country to recognise the new government. India formalised these relations by establishing an embassy in China and appointing K M Panikker as its first ambassador in 1950.

India further sought to strengthen the ties with the PRC by signing of...