International Journal of Political Science and Governance 2022; 4(1): 221-225

E-ISSN: 2664-603X
P-ISSN: 2664-6021
IJPSG 2022; 4(1): 221-225 Panchsheel: A Ray of Hope
www.journalofpoliticalscience.com
Received: 16-01-2022
Accepted: 21-02-2022 Biman Saha
Biman Saha
Assistant Professor, Abstract
Ranaghat College, Ranaghat, A set of five principles, popularly known as Panchsheel conceived in great measure by former prime
West Bengal, India minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru, was the basis of the Agreement on trade and intercourse between
the Tibet region of Chain and India signed on 29 April, 1954. However, after Sino-Indian war in 1962
Nehru and his Panchsheel had to face criticism. Later on in course of time a number of contentions
issues like China threat theory, string of pearls, border disputes, trade deficit etc come to the fore front.
Thus, it is seemed that Panchsheel is no longer in existence in shaping India-China bilateral relations.
Despite such adverse situation, in 2014 the two countries celebrated 60th anniversary of Panchsheel and
tried to show that they would rejuvenate the relationship within the framework of Panchsheel. To prove
it wrong spectrum of measures has been taken by both the countries in order to iron out differences and
to make 21st country Asian country.

Keywords: Panchsheel, sino-indian war, India, china, bilateral relations

Introduction
This paper is to raise some contemporary questions and finding out relevant answer of those.
Such questions are like
1. Whether Panchsheel is relevant today or not?
2. Whether Nehru is wrong or right person at the wrong time?
3. What is Panchsheel - means or end?
4. What find wrong with Panchsheel its projection or improper implementation?
5. Which is the alternative to Panchsheel?

“It is in no spirit of pride or arrogance that we pursue our own independent policy. We
would not do otherwise unless we are false to everything India has stood for in the past and
stands for today. We welcome association and friendship with all the flow of thought and
ideas of all kind, but we reserve the right to choose our own path. That is the essence of
Panchsheel [1].”

Jawaharlal Nehru the architect of Indian foreign policy delivered that speech in the Lok
Sabha on September 15, 1955. We are now in the orbit of 2015. Last 60 years bilateral
relations between India and China have been posing through many ups and downs.
Irrespective of various changes taken place in the domestic politics, economics etc of both
the countries in the regional politics and economics and in the international sphere also one
question is still unchanged-whether the essence of Panchsheel is relevant in today’s scenario
or not? As a response to this question and to the disputed issues and problems between India
–China consists of five sections with five significant subheadings section-1 highlights on the
genesis of Panchsheel. Section-2 treats of its implementation in Indo-China relations.
Section-3 focuses on criticism of Panchsheel in shaping Indo- China relations. Section -4 is
related to the points which are in favour of Panchsheel. Section -5 discuss on how to
implement Panchsheel with a view to turn 21st century in to Asian century. At last, section -6
is adorned with significant conclusion.
‘The guiding principles of India’s foreign policy have been founded on Panchsheel,
pragmatism and pursuit of national interest’ [2]. (Jadav, 2000) It would not be wise to deny
Corresponding Author: that Sino-India bilateral relations without uttering Panchsheel is quite impossible.
Biman Saha The preamble of the aforementioned five-point agreement, popularly known as Panchsheel
Assistant Professor,
Ranaghat College, Ranaghat, Agreement signed in 1954 between New Delhi and Peking laid down five principles. These
West Bengal, India were

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1. Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and that time. Indian forces were unprepared and China availed
sovereignty of such unpreparedness so that it could establish its
2. Mutual non-aggression dominance on the disputed land. No doubt, it was China’s
3. Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs betrayal of India’s offer of friendship. With such attitude
4. Equality and mutual benefit China proved that Panchsheel agreement was nothing but a
5. Peaceful co-existence lip service.
Second, China’s ‘string of Pearls’ policy is a matter of
A spontaneous but vital question arises here – Panchsheel is concern for India’s security in the Indian ocean, though it is
the brainchild of whom- first Prime Minister of Independent an American hypothesis about China’s containment of
India, Jawaharlal Nehru? or the then Chinese Premier Zho India. 8 But it is no longer a hypothesis, to the contrary, it is
Enlai? During his speech in 1954 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the fact that China extends its strategic hands to establish
Nehru described the five pillars to be used as a guide for harbour in Chittagong, Bangladesh in Sittwe, Myanmar in
Sino-India relations, which were first put forth by Chinese Gwadar, Pakistan, in Hambantota, Sri Lanka etc in such a
Premier Zhou Enlai [3]. These principles serve as the basis of way, so that, it can dominate Indian Ocean region and
the Non-Aligned Movement which was coined by Nehru. becomes able to keep India under constant surveillance. It’s
The origin of Panchsheel was found in the speech of Great so called ‘String of Pearls’ strategy is a three-pronged
Buddha also. approach to check US naval power in the Indian ocean and
Without exaggeration, it can be said that there were so many to achieve strategic maritime advantage over India [9]. So
reasons behind the genesis of Panchsheel. First and String of Pearls is based on the negation of Panchsheel.
foremost, from China’s point of view China intended to get Thirdly, why China fished in troubled waters whenever
rid of its isolated position caused by communist ideological India faced bilateral tensions with its neighbours? [10]-S.D.
base and was in search of friends in attitudes in place Muni’s question to the panel of the conference held on the
suspicious and aggressive communist image. Secondly, in occasion of ‘60th Anniversary of Panchsheel Relevance for
the aftermath of independence India has endorsed India’- is very significant and relevant in in terms of the
Panchsheel in shaping foreign policy as these principles relevance of Panchsheel. China is always in search of a
were already being existed here. What Nehru spoke of non- situation when will the relation between India and any of its
alignment in the Parliament, on December 9, 1958 is also neighbours is in trouble. Most of the time when China
true to Panchsheel. ‘What I have done is to give voice to decides to gives a lesson to India, it plays Pakistan card and
that policy (non-alignment) I have not originated it. It is a set Pakistan against India, as if, and Pakistan is a balancer to
policy inherent in the circumstances of India, inherent in the India. From such point of view China provides arms and
past thinking of India, inherent in the whole mental outlook other related facilities to Pakistan. This is not only true to
of India, inherent in the conditioning of the Indian mind [4].’ India-Pakistan relation, but also to India-Nepal, India-Sri
Thirdly, The Nehruvian foreign policy was at variance with Lanka, India-Bangladesh, India-Bhutan relation etc. For
such principles. He was against the doctrine of balance of China, the development of relations with Bangladesh was
power pursued by so called developed countries. On the important to keep Bangladesh away from the Indo-Soviet
contrary, he earnestly believed in the policy of friendship orbit [11].
with other countries. In January, 1949 in Delhi on the Fourth, in the aftermath of the infiltration of Chinese
occasion of supporting the cause of Indonesian military into Doulat Beg Oldy Sector of India, it is
independence Nehru uttered, “We do not want to form a discernible that Chinese aggression is being increased with
new bloc but inevitably the countries of Asia will come every passing day. In April 2013, Chinese military force
closer together and India will play a leading part in this” [5]. consists of 50 soldiers and dogs violating Line of Actual
Such Nehruvian view point laid down not only the basis of Control (LOC) and infiltrating into India stayed at the
Indian foreign policy, but the genesis of Panchsheel. In one aforementioned Oldy sector. Immediate after consecutive
word, Nehruvian idealism paved a way to Panchsheel. five meetings were held, but no solutions come out. Later on
Besides, some critics are of the opinion that sudden death of 5th of May, 2013 Chinese military force left India with a
the then India’s Deputy Prime Minister Sarder Ballov Vai relevant question – whether India should follow up
Patel created on opportunity for the genesis of Panchsheel. Panchsheel?
Panchsheel was well aware of the intension of China which Fifth, huge trade deficit is another irritant between India and
was written in a letter by him. However, that letter was not China. Since, 2006 Indi has been facing such problem very
emerged into public view at the appropriate time because of much. The trade deficit of India for the year of 2010 stood at
Patel’s sudden death [6]. “Alone among the top echelon of more than20 billion US dollar. Most of China’s exports are
Congress leaders, Patel had the standing and support to value-added manufactured goods. On the other hand, most
challenge Nehru’s direction of foreign policy. His death at of India’s exports are bulk commodities like iron one. India
the age of 75 in 1950 left Nehru’s direction of China policy complains that China gains unfair advantage from an
virtually unchallenged... [7]” undervalued currency and from protectionism that affects
It is ridiculous to see that India left no stone unturned to India’s high- end exports. India has an objection about
keep the dragon happy, though India should have taken a dumping cheaper Chinese goods into Indian market. Not
clear cut policy to combat China for keeping peace and much more power of intellect, but common sense is enough
tranquillity in Asia. From that stand point, many are of the to conceive how such trade imbalance forms the flame of
opinion that Panchsheel is not fit for today’s Indo–China India’s discontent.
relations. Sixth, China’s initiatives to create a dam on Brahmaputra
First and foremost, critics do not find any relevance of River are showing its aggressiveness which is not consistent
Panchsheel after 1962 war between India and China, as all with the principles of Panchsheel. New Delhi is very much
the principles of Panchsheel had been violated by China at concerned about the ecological impact on India of Chinese

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initiative to divert the rivers of Tibet for irrigation purpose eventually oblivious to the fact that despite seven year long
in China. For China’s evil tendency to control the Tibetan war between them Britain and France coexist peacefully.
plateau, the source of Asia’s major rivers, a possibility of Actually, relationship is formed according to the demands of
skirmish on scarce water resources is grown up. situation which makes one forget everything and it is not
Aforementioned initiatives of China are not at variance with only applicable to England-France relations, but human
the principles of Panchsheel. political history has been witnessed to a number of such
Seventh, to achieve advantage over India, China uses every instances. After World war-II keeping their warlike attitudes
possible card that it has. Issuing stapled visa to Indian away Germany and France are coming close together. Very
citizens from Arunachal Pradesh is one of such cards. The recently Cuba tilts towards USA forgetting previous tensed
fact is that China issued stapled visa on entry to Arunachal relations. Therefore, without exaggeration it can be thought
officials visiting its nation. Actually, critics are of the that one month long war between China and India cannot
opinion that China’s intention is to continue provocation make Actually, relationship is formed according to the
India. In such a way China always express its lack of demands of situation which makes one forget everything
interest in obeying Panchsheel Agreement. and it is not only applicable to England-France relations, but
Above all, with these aforementioned burning issues, border human political history has been witnessed to a number of
tensions still remain as as it was in 1950’.India claims Aksai such instances. After World war-II keeping their warlike
Chin and Trans-Karakoram Tract, as part of Jammu and attitudes away Germany and France are coming close
Kashmir. On the other hand, China claims most of together irrelevant.
Arunachal Pradesh, a contested disputed territory of north- Fourth, it is now fairly common place to hear that the
east India by not recognizing the Mc Mohan Line [12]. coming years will be led by India and China [15] various
Carrying on such irritant how both the countries execute the economic reports opinions of experts coincide with the
five principles of properly- now this is a matter of debate aforementioned statement. But will it be achieved
and discussion. automatically? This is the very point on which a debate is
going on between the supporter of Actually, relationship is
“..... it is imperative for both India and China to learn to formed according to the demands of situation which makes
live with peace and cooperation, as it is said you can one forget everything and it is not only applicable to
change friends but cannot change neighbours [13].” England-France relations, but human political history has
been witnessed to a number of such instances. After World
Point of view like that leads us to ponder over the principles war-II keeping their warlike attitudes away Germany and
Panchsheel in the context of Sino-India relation at the France are coming close together and those who are against
globalised world order and to critically evaluate the points it. Oppositionists always overlook the fact that the
on irrelevance of Panchsheel mentioned in the in the precondition of China-India relation is an environment
previous section. fraught with peace, not war, competition not confrontation,
First of all, many are sceptical about the relevance of faith not mistrust. Therefore, to turn the prediction into
Panchsheel due to its random violation. It is obvious that practice peaceful coexistence is the demand of the hour.
both China and India are in open violation of the Agreement Suppose, you are suffering from a backache for which you
of Panchsheel for which a section of politicians, scholars, go to a doctor who suggests some physical exercises to be
journalists, political scientists are of the view that practised every day at regular basis. But consciously or
Panchsheel is outdated. Here ‘violation’ is laid down as a unconsciously you do not follow such advices regularly.
yardstick to judge whether a thing is relevant or not. To the After one week or one month on the basis of your irregular
contrary, in optimists’ view so many cases are being held in practice if you will come to a conclusion that doctor’s way
India and rest of the world where human rights are being of treatment is not fruitful—will it not be a ‘practical joke’?
violated continuously. On the basis of such violations, can it It is like the same thing which is being happened against the
be claimed that human rights are outdated or irrelevant? No principles of Panchsheel.
doubt, the answer is “NO”. In the similar fashion, it needs to Fifth, ‘The contributions of Panchsheel were universal, as
remember that despite of number of fundamental of our its values were replicated in the charter of UNO, SCO,
country. Hopefully, number of violations may be increased ASEAN and SAARC’- Dr. Jagannath Panda in his turn
but these will not be able to make Panchsheel irrelevant. uttered it at the conference on “60th Anniversary of
Second, ‘A time tested diplomatic tool’ [14] in this way Panchsheel Relevance for India-China Relations” held by
Panchsheel is considered many a times. Here is the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses on June”, 2014.
contradiction. On the one hand, there is a tendency to show Democracy loving people still now feel proud to be
instances where principles of Panchsheel has been violated expressed themselves as the followers of peace.
and on the other Panchsheel is claimed as time tested Sixth, few scholars are of the opinion that nothing is in the
diplomatic tool. Point to be noted is that violation of message conveyed by Pancheesheel, as the norms and ideals
Panchsheel by both China and India is nothing but the related to it have been existing in the international arena as
deviation from the previously accepted principles of common issues for debate and discussion between countries.
Panchsheel. Without giving any thought to such deviations Therefore, their simple question is –what is the use of
Panchsheel is claimed as time tested diplomatic tool. making a framework like Panchsheel fraught with norms
Actually, neither China, nor India follows it up properly for and ideals which are already existed. To refute such logic in
which Panchsheel may be best termed as ‘time-ignored favour of the relevance of Panchsheel the example of
diplomatic tool’. Human Development Index (HDI) can be presented. What
Third, a portion of analysts get satisfaction in pointing Professor Amartya Sen with two other eminent persons have
finger at the 1962 Sino-India war which according to them, done in the name of HDI, is nothing but an attempt of
made Panchsheel outdated since its inception. They putting some basic rights into a framework with a view to

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making comparison between states regarding human demand India and other third world countries followed
development. Through such comparison the position of Nehruvian idealism which was based on Panchsheel. No
human development of a particular country can be doubt, situation has changed now, but demand for
understood better. Panchsheel remains unchanged in today’s changed situation
Apparently, it may be considered as a right think for India to also which calls for a mutual journey particularly for India
stop flowing such frame work, thought ultimately no and China to make the best use of 21st century for the sake
successful result will be acquired through such decision. of development of the people of India and China.
Because- Above all, we should keep in mind the fact that Panchsheel
1) In such a case, China may raise the issue to the world is just a means, not the end. Therefore, if you would like to
that India is deviating from its declared policy of counter it, you must have an appropriate alternative, though
Panchsheel and may fish in troubled water. it is ridiculous as well as pathetic that no one is in a position
2) India will be under some extra pressure, as a the ball is to offer such an alternative. To the contrary, some raise a
in to the court of India and India has to prove that it question-Is alternative always essential? It is no
does not have any evil intention and tough India tries to exaggeration to call Panchsheel as a by default consensus
put an end to the frame work of Panchsheel, it still making tool kit for India-China relation, because during last
believes in the essence of the principles of Panchsheel. sixty years in spite of the ups and downs in the relationship,
First of all, lack of strong and capable leadership is no whenever the leaders of both India and China have not for
doubt one of the vital problems India faces in the matter discussing bilateral issues, they have shown faith in
getting benefit from Sino-India bilateral relations within Panchsheel. Recently Dai Bingguo, the state councillor in
the frame Panchsheel. Second, coalition in India, the previous Hujintao-led administration said “Peace is in
particularly during last to terms of U.P.A government, China’s DNA” Thus, Panchsheel has been providing at least
proves it intense capability make India in capable of a stage of consensus which will give both the countries
taking any strong foreign policy vis –a – vis China. additional leverage at the rapidly globalizing world where
Finally, India’s tendency to regard China as a big interdependence between the states is in dispensible. So, the
brother provides China with the facility to get the upper alternative of Panchsheel is inevitable, though, it is too
hand in each and every part of the relationship between difficult to find out.
the Asian giants. At the end of the whole Debate and discussion we can come
to a conclusion that the secret world wide acceptance of
First of all, in a rapidly globalising world to get additional divers India lies in the principles, values and ideals which
leverage from the market economy both the countries are best reflected on the principles of Panchsheel. Moreover,
should show batter sense of understanding in future in at the age of globalization interdependence is considered as
interactions based upon the historic principles of an urgent need in order to be a great part of the globalised
Pancheesheel. Second, it is obligation and responsibility of economy. In such a case Panchsheel has the capability to
China and India to prove to the international community that create an initial environment on which two or more states
they could rise ‘by peace, of peace and for peace’. Third, can go on negotiation Panchsheel has a potentiality to be a
both countries should learn from each other towered stand bridge between theory and practice. Now, what is to be done
the complex dynamics of human sustainability systems. is to keep on debate and discussion over how such
India should learn a lesson from Chinese experience in the negotiation get the ultimatum and how all the countries
field of poverty alleviation, urbanization etc. On the other should materialize Panchsheel as a successful diplomatic
hand, China has to follow India’s experiences in tool kit. Principles of Panchsheel can be considered as five
environmental system quality. Thus the test of mutual determinants by which the intention of states towards
benefit will be sweet. Forth, China should take the peaceful world order can be measured better. That is why
responsibility to clarify its hidden intension behind the Panchsheel should be accepted as a set of determinants in
policy of string of pearls, staple visa to the people of order to make relations (among states) fruitful and dynamic.
Arunachal Pradesh, a province of India etc. In order to
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