Oct 1950-May 1951 China invades the Eastern Tibet provincial capital of Chamdo; captures governor. Compels a Tibetan delegate to sign an agreement accepting China’s suzerainty.
1954 India and China sign Panchsheel. In June, Chinese premier Zhou Enlai visits India. Emphasises the sanctity of Panchsheel. In October, Nehru returns the visit, makes a trip to Beijing. Signs a Sino-India trade agreement.
1956 Zhou Enlai visits India in November. A goodwill mission!
1959 In January, Zhou Enlai spells out China’s claim to 40,000 square miles of Indian territory in Ladakh and the Northeast. On April 3, the Dalai Lama escapes from Lhasa. India grants him asylum.
1960 On April 19, Nehru and Zhou meet in New Delhi. Deadlock over boundary issue.A year later, China occupies 12,000 square miles in the western sector. India establishes a few border posts in Ladakh.
1962 In Oct, China attacks from Northeast to Ladakh. In November, captures Tawang,Bomdila plus Walong in the west. On Nov 21, announces unilateral ceasefire, withdraws 20 km behind Line of Actual Control. On Dec 8, India accepts China’s three-point ceasefire formula.
1963 Pakistan cedes 5,080 sq km of PoK territory—in Aksai Chin—to China
1976 In April, diplomatic representation, both in India and China, raised to the ambassadorial level after a 15-year gap
1979 In February, foreign minister Atal Behari Vajpayee visits Beijing
1986 Differences surface over the McMahon Line in the Sumdorung Chu area of Arunachal Pradesh
December 1988 Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visits China. Both countries to set up a joint working group (JWG) on the boundary question; and on economic relations, trade,science & technology.
December 1991 Chinese premier Li Peng visits India in December, promises to resolve the boundary question through consultations
1993 Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao visits China in September, signs an agreement on the maintenance of peace and tranquility along the LAC.
1996 Chinese President Jiang Zemin visits India in November, signs an agreement on CBMS in the military field along the LAC.
1998 India conducts nuclear tests. The reason is China, says defence minister George Fernandes. Beijing strongly condemns Pokhran II.
2000 Karmapa Lama flees China, reaches Dharamshala in January. Beijing warns India against granting political asylum to Beijing. India says he hasn’t been granted refugee status.
2002 On Jan 6, the inaugural Shanghai-Beijing-New Delhi direct passenger flight takes off. Chinese premier Zhu Rongji arrives on Jan 13.
2003 Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee visits Beijing in June. India and China agree to appoint special representatives who are to explore a political framework for resolving the boundary issue.
2005 Chinese premier Wen Jiabao visits India in April. India and China agree on political parameters and guiding principles for the India-China boundary issue; establish a strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity. India accepts Tibet as part of China; Sikkim accepted as Indian state.
