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June 3, 1998
ELECTIONS '98
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The Rediff Special/ G P DeshpandeChina has always been keen to intervene in South Asian politicsThe years following 1962 were tense and dialogue between the two states had come to a grinding halt. The Cultural Revolution within China (1961 to 1976) created near-anarchic conditions within China. It was only in 1976 that a new phase in Sino-Indian relations began. Indira Gandhi, with a nuclear implosion at Pokhran in 1974 behind her, decided to take the initiative. There had been no exchange of ambassadors since 1961. Indira Gandhi sent an ambassador to Beijing. The Chinese followed suit. The relations appeared to have taken a new turn. But even then, progress was too slow and far from satisfactory. In the intervening years, Sikkim had merged with India. China has not recognised Sikkim's accession to India till date. When Chinese President Jiang Zemin visited New Delhi two years ago, it was widely expected that he would announce China's recognition of Sikkim's new status. But that did not happen. However, it is also a valid judgement that while India does talk about Sikkim or the border dispute with China, it has not shown any urgency (since 1976) to get the issues sorted out. For some reason, it prefers to go slow on the question. It is not possible to assert this with any certainty, but some scholars have taken this view and it must be recorded. China took some time to recognise Bangladesh which had come into existence in 1971. China recognised Dhaka only after Pakistan did so. However, this clearly indicated China's abiding interest in, and its ability to intervene, in South Asia. Certain sections of Indian policy-makers, especially the defence bureaucracy, have often expressed concern at Chinese activities. This means that in addition to the two broad problems mentioned earlier, two more have to be added:
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