Tibet as a Factor in Sino-Indian Conflict

Abstract

The article investigates modern day Sino-India relations, taking into account the Tibet factor. Using a postcolonial lens, it looks into how Tibet remains the key issue affecting India-China ties, which is not accounted for by both postcolonial nation states. However, the territorial disputes between both countries are directly linked to the status of Tibet as these disputed borders historically were the Indo-Tibetan border and not the Sino-Indian border. The entry of British imperialism in Asia changed the prevailing political systems, with British (western) ideas of statehood and sovereignty enforced as raison d etre. Under this, the newly established People’s Republic of China (PRC) invaded and occupied Tibet, as the region was comprehended by the communists in terms of a ‘security dilemma’ for PRC. The military takeover of Tibet ended the traditional government headed by the Dalai Lamas, a line of reincarnated monks who had ruled Tibet since the 17th century. After the invasion of Tibet, the XIV Dalai Lama along with thousands of Tibetans escaped to India, which provided asylum and allowed the growth of a government of exile by the Tibetans. Thus, Tibet and Tibetans have emerged as the central factor in Sino-Indian conflict.