China's India War: Collision Course on the Roof of the World

by Bertil Lintner

The first book to put the Sino-Indian border dispute and the 1962 war into its rightful historical and geopolitical context, China's India War examines how the 1962 war was about much more than the border.

China was going through immense internal turmoil following the disastrous 'Great Leap Forward' and Mao Zedong, the architect of the movement, was looking to reassert his power over the Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army. Finding an outside enemy against which everyone could unite was his best option. Coincidentally, India was emerging as the leader of the newly independent countries in Asia and Africa and the stakes were high for a war with winning the war could mean China would 'dethrone' India and take over. A border dispute with India and India's decision to grant asylum to the Dalal Lama after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet in 1959 gave China legitimate reasons to go to war.

This book unveils how China has started planning the war as early as in 1959, much before Jawaharlal Nehru launched the 'forward policy' in the border areas. And how the war accomplished much for India lost, China became the main voice of revolutionary movements in the Third World, and Mao Zedong was back in power.

Genres: History, China, India, Politics, Nonfiction, Military History, Asia

352 pages, Hardcover

Published March 25, 2018

Reviews

[Tejas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Factually dense and might seem heavy at times but gives a mostly clear picture of Sino-India relations . The 1962 conflict is explained well with reasons behind Chinese aggression and Indian debacle. Left wing extremism in India is also narrated very well . Over all a great book to understand the conflict between China and India.

[Venkat Kalakkad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lintner's work is a panoramic sweep across time and space. The book connects data from cartography, context and culture to weave the narrative that spans 125 years starting from 1893. Having read this, one would realize that 1962 is just one event in a long train of events along the 3000Km line. One would understand the central role played by 1907 Anglo-Russian treaty in shaping the Tibetian future and the dynamics at shimla conference. But Lintner confuses capability with intent in some areas and then becomes speculative in predicting intents later.

While in 1962, China initiated the aggression he says China was making plans with infra readiness, intelligence gathering prior to 1962. So her attack had nothing to do with Nehru . But he does not say what intent drove China to attack India in 1962. Mere capability and data, do not constitute intent.
So what was the intent?

Here he cites, Mao's eroded image due to excess and failures during Great Leap forward. To prop his image, he initiated this attack. But this lasted for only 20 days. China did vacate the territory she gained in 1962. Nothing could have prevented her continued occupation at that point. He agrees that no one has provided a credible reason for this. .

But she retreated to 20 Km east from agreed upon border. Why would a nation lose time, money and people and just throw away the gains to humiliate a nation? So what did Mao gain in 20 days that consolidated his position for next 15 years?

Clearly, history is a set of events interpreted after they occur. Lintner however proposes thought provoking alternatives. His approach seems to be led by honesty and curiosity. Lintner's work is scholarly, and cogently written. It is not often that one comes across a work, which maintains flow even when the scene shifts across space and time. Very few authors can paint details while balancing clarity with nuance. (esp in context of Assam and Anglo Burmese war, Gen Sunderji's Operation Falcon, 1987).

After reading this - one can contrast situation in Indian eastern with her western flank. Situation in west is of India's own making through events during her freedom struggle. Lot of history and religion is packed in that context. But on the east, India's challenges are born of international intrigue created long back in the past.

A thought provoking book. Stimulates curiosity and spirit of wonder.

[Abhishek Prakash · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not entirely dedicated for the 1962 war. So for anybody who is looking out for a dedicated book on the war, this is not for them.

What this book covers is basically the territorial disputes between India and China, the 2 great powers of Asia and the expansionist designs of China.

Covera the war as well as nation states of Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet which is now under China and Sikkim which is now an Indian state.
Shows how expansionist China has always been and how India has mostly fell flat in biding the intentions of its neighbours which rarely have been pure and mostly are vile and deceitful.
While India foreign affairs have largely been inconsistent due to the Democratic style, China under Autocracy doesnt have such qualms and works at a breakneack pace.
Where India talks and signs, China delivers.

Special mention to the Chronology section at the last of the book which is a keeper.

[Kanan Saurabh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book which should be in the library of any serious observer of the India/China relationship

[Randhir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book for those who were brought up on Neville Maxwell and Alastair Lamb's assertions that blamed India for the 1962 Conflict for claiming territory that didn't belong to it and then attempting to coerce China by force. As the Author brings out, the boundary between India and Tibet was never clearly demarcated. Under such circumstances the geographic watershed principle holds true. In addition, Lintner quotes material which brings out a strong case in favour of India. All those who were looking for a different take on the 1962 War will be disappointed as the Author covers that only as a part of one chapter. What he tries to analyse is the genesis to the Conflict and the geo-politics of the Region which will shape the future. One reason why the Conflict occurred, according to Lintner, was because Mao had been shaken by the failure of his programmes and the turmoil that had occurred in China. He felt shaken to the core, especially as even loyalists like Zhou had questioned his leadership. He cleverly manoeuvred events so that people like Deng and Zhou were shown as hawks. The sanctuary given to the Dalai Lama and the undemarcated border was a sufficient causes belli. And of course his spies had told him that the India was unprepared for any conflict (the Author rightfully expresses surprise how the Chinese fractured Intelligence set-up proved superior to the the better organised Indian one). And so it proved. The War was a complete success. Mao became firm in his position to enable him to purge many threats and cause further misery on his people. The Author examines all the states on the Himalayan Watershed including Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal and even Burma. The Conflict remains alive and can be re-engineered by China whenever it desires. The Author's knowledge is evident though they lack any deep insights. I have a grouse that he seems willing to refer to discredited writers to reinforce his arguments.One example is Eric S Margolis, whose book 'War at the Top of the World' has long been discredited. If the Author had avoided reference to peripheral writers, he would perhaps have produced a more authoritative account. Nevertheless the book is recommended for the book shelf of all those interested in the India Chinese geo-strategic scenario.

[Raman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 320 pages book is well researched book actually consisting of about 220 page matter with extensive references and notes.

The journalist turned author in his simple and easy to read language has done critical examination of the theory propagated by works of Neville Maxwell and Alistair Lamb, blaming India as aggressor in 1962 war. It is thus an important piece of work giving the right perspective of historical events as "CHINA'S WAR" and not otherwise.

The book apart from bringing out the events of 1962 in correct perspective has also covered other aspects in the gambit of India-China relations very lucidly, to include Chinese government strategy in other border countries and states like, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and Arunachal and Naga Insurgency. It also covers a brief of other countours of collusion between the two Asian giants like water and sea lanes in the last chapter.

Over all a good read for getting an insight of the factors affecting relationship between the two nations.

[Avijit Sett · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far the world's opinion was based on India's China War by Neville Maxwell which portrayed India as the aggressor.

Now it is the time to check the facts from the other side. This book should be an eye opener to those who thought and are still thinking that it was India who provoked The Dragon. The Dragon prepared and planned the invasion meticulously for at least 3 years before attacking on 20 October 1962 with the following motives - to teach India a lesson for giving asylum to Dalai Lama - to show who the leader of Third World was - to divert attention from the disastrous 'The Great Leap Forward' and 'The Cultural Revolution'!!!

The author has also speculated a few things he thinks might happen in future.

[Varun Kannan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book overall. The Book gives a good overall picture of the conflict between India and China after India gave refuge to Dalai Lama. The part on China going to war with India in 1962 in a pre-planned manner is written very well. It also effectively dispels the false narrative that in 1962, india was the aggressor.

The drawback in the book is that it does not contain any maps of the terrain where the conflict took place. The author also does not go into details of the different battles that took place.

Overall, a good read, considering recent events and Xi's inclinations to be worse than Mao Zedong.

[Vikramadithya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to help understand the geopolitics of India, China, and all of the neighboring nations caught between the two most populous countries on Earth.

The author has traveled and interacted deeply with the locals of this region. He objectively counters the common narratives that have been pushed by more popular scholars and historians.

It was a great eye-opener for me and I look forward to reading more of his books.

[abhinav selot · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book to understand the geostratgic scenario around India along with crisp history of 1962 war.

[Abhineet Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book provides a comprehensive outlook on the India-China question, which is different from the Maxwell’s perspective.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very well researched in my opinion, with additional reading galore.
Good for someone trying to understand the relationship between the two countries irrespective of nationality.

[Alan Tsuei · Rating 1 out of 5]

繁中版的可以直接看書末吳啟訥的“我讀中國的印度戰爭”一文，很好的打臉了作者的私心與對歷史的偏頗，也許本人書讀的有限，但的確很少看到這種書末的反轉文，這也省去我一條一條揪錯的衝動…
不愧是老外寫的中印邊界，一開始拿最終沒有中國代表簽字的西姆拉會議與達賴十三的話術來說事，卻不提清廷的金瓶掣簽、1906的印藏和約、1907的英俄藏事協定與達賴十三壓後藏的班禪一事等，這樣來引導讀者進入中印之間的矛盾實在不可取，畢竟西藏與周邊的劃界問題是近代才出現的，是趁清朝積弱不振與民初內亂所引發英俄對中國領土的野心，而且劃界是用西方的標準來認定，這和美國侵佔北美印地安部落、歐洲殖民者侵佔亞非美大陸土地的手法同出一轍，加上麥克馬洪線是英人為了與俄國搶奪勢力範圍的大前提下而劃定的，如果沒有把歷史自始至終的講明，那就會落入作者所設定的大框架之內，更別說作者竟然還宣稱有所謂“台灣民族主義”，殊不知所謂的台灣民族竟然是幫日殖政府壓迫���正台灣原住民的原兇…
也難怪西方一直對中國的內部有很多誤會，當然老共幹了不少壞事，不過把老共的壞事連結到中國對邊疆民族這種張冠李戴的作法，是絕非一個有良知學者著書立說該有的立場…

[Cold Cream 'n' Roses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also read:

Where China Meets India: Burma and the New Crossroads of Asia by Thant Myint-U
JFK's Forgotten Crisis: Tibet, the CIA, and the Sino-Indian War by Bruce Riedel

[Skandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and pretty scholarly treatment of the conflict. There was a lot of background and you wonder when the war is actually going to occur. I wish the book had more graphics. Highly recommended for Cold War history buffs!

[Nikhil · Rating 4 out of 5]

China’s ‘unprovoked’ attack on India in 1962 is an event deeply embedded into the psyche of the modern Indian nation. Not so much because it was a betrayal of Pt Nehru’s Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai philosophy, but more so because of the absolute and utter humiliation suffered by the country in the battlefield. After decades of maintaining Pakistan as a convenient threat #1, the last few years have once again brought to the fore the significantly larger threat faced by India from China.

In this context, Bertil Lintner’s book attempts to shed light on Chinese perspective on the Indo-China relationship. As someone who has covered South Asia, specifically Burma, India and China, Bertil comes with some credibility to write on this complex topic.

As is wont, the early part of the book is entirely focused on the Indo-China war of 1962. The book doesn’t spend too much time on the sequence of events (there are others books for that). Rather, it starts by debunking Neville Maxwell’s theory that while China was the aggressor, the raison-d’etre behind the war were India’s provocative actions, including the Forward Policy.

Lintner references together a series of publications and commentaries from within China to highlight that ‘showing India its proper place’ was a long-standing action item for the CCP leadership. Multiple uncharitable references to Pt Nehru in Chinese state-controlled media apart, there are multiple statements by Chinese leaders well before 1962 that suggests teaching India a lesson was on the agenda for the Maoist regime. Even Deng Xiaoping, the architect of modern China, is said to have remarked in 1959 (in reference to India having given shelter to the Dalai Lama), ‘When the time comes, we certainly will settle accounts with them [the Indians].’

While the author proposes several possible reasons behind China’s assault in 1962, the most likely seems to be triggered by India’s safe haven to the Dalai Lama. That China chose its times of attacking, also reflects the long term mindset of the nation and its leaders, and hence should be a warning to any subsequent Indian leadership of reading too much into short-term thaws and expressions of friendship.

The author spends a bit of real estate talking about the aftermath of the war within India. Here he makes a few bloopers when he sympathises with VK Menon and his qualifications to be a member of the government, quoting the ‘famous’ Lieutenant General BM Kaul - “He (Menon) was a vegetarian, did not drink alcohol or smoke tobacco, and, as a minister, he lived in a small room in a modest bungalow full of books.”

Similarly, in the context of Kaul, Lintner is dewy eyed, referring to Kaul’s distinguished military career when there are replete references across literature to Kaul’s unearned rise through the ranks and his famous exit from the frontlines in 1962 apparently as he got hit by altitude sickness!

The book then traverses into a discussion on various other flashpoints in the Indo-China relationship - Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal and the North East. It contextualises the evolution of each of these states including their evolving complex relationships with India and the role played by China to try and provoke a break or create a place for itself or ensure its actions leave a thorn in India’s backside through support to militants, separatists and such others

Barring the story of Sikkim, in most cases the Indian response comes across as rather weak and myopic, with very little long term impact. The most obvious example of the same is the case of Nepal where over the years India’s big-brother attitude has allowed China to make inroads into the political establishment of our Himalayan neighbour.

A well-researched and rounded book wherein, unfortunately, India comes across as the rather weak and ineffective power when it comes to dealing with China and its shenanigans!

[Vineeth Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched alternate perspective to Neville Maxwell’s India’s China War. Covers historical background pertaining to Bhutan, Nepal & Sikkim well. Good read.

[Tarun · Rating 3 out of 5]

I start reading this book thinking of having more insight and thought process why China invaded India. This book dedicated 3 chapters rest it talk about India China relations with India's neighbour. Although that is good insight but was not looking in this book.

[Shivani · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book gives you an exhaustive record of the 1962 India-China War, delving into its origins, conduct, aftermath, and ideological underpinnings. It dispels misconceptions that India bore responsibility for provoking China's aggression. Meticulously researched and eloquently written.

[Vjie King]

India’s China War 1962 has interested me for the past 30 years. I have read the work of Neville Maxwell and Gregory Clarke and articles in the Indian Press, the latter mostly putting China down. When Lintner published his book, intended to demolish Neville Maxwell’s work, I was eager to get a copy. As per my normal practice, I read up reviews and the author’s biography/autobiography, which were readily accessible on the internet, but have since been taken off. I found a detailed listing of the author’s life work – ALL his publications, except this book! The silence spoke volumes: that the author did not highlight this work could mean he had his own doubts. And that was sufficient reason to give it a miss.

It could only be concluded that the purpose of the book was more mercenary: appealing to the 1.3 billion patriotic Indians looking for any support to condemn the work of Maxwell, and to the West for whom China bashing was and still is the flavour of the day.

[Neeraj Bali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book as part of my research for the 1962 India-China war. The book is an excellent resource for the run-up to the conflict and the geopolitical environment since that conflict. It is, however, thin on military details of the war.
The author presents an argument that counters the assertion of another China expert, Neville Maxwell (India's China War), that it was India that triggered the 1962 war. The title of the two books signals that difference!
An interesting and sweeping account of the history of not only the India-China imbroglio, but also of Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutan. The book ends with a description of the presence of China and other maritime powers in the Indian Ocean. Not all of these details have a bearing on the theme of the book, but they make for absorbing reading, all the same.

[rahul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional work by Bertil Linter giving out the holistic perspective and run down of India - China relations, intertwining it with the roles played by our neighbouring countries and other global power houses …..

For far too long, Neville Maxwell’s narrative, which sees India as the aggressor and China as the victim, has held the court. Nearly 50 years after Maxwell’s book, Bertil Lintner’s China’s India War puts the ‘border dispute’ into its rightful perspective. Lintner argues that China began planning the war as early as 1959 and proposes that it was merely a small move in the larger strategic game that China was playing to become a global power house —one that it continues to play even today.

A Brilliant and well researched work by the author …

[Abhinav Yadav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed book if one is looking to understand
1. Indo-China 1962 War - Reason - Simla Treaty 1911, Border demarcation legacy issue since British India, Nehru's and Menon's too much faith in China to never harm India, Forward Base policy? Innate hate/despise for Nehru and India by PRC (Mao, Deng, Enlai) and ROC (Chiang Kai Shek) alike, Failure of Great Leap revolution and Mao's losing grip, How was it planned by China, Who was the aggressor?
2. Amalgamation of Sikkim into Indian Union
3. Insurgency at North-eastern border
4. How Maoist/Communist parties in Indian subcontinent operated and why china provides moral and logistic support
5. Nepal and Bhutan - protectorate relationship with India and how it has evolved

[Harish Kamath · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this thinking it would be all about the war in 1962 between India and China, but the book deals with that in just two chapters. The rest of the book is a primer on Tibetan, Bhutanese, Nepalese, and Chinese history, especially of the 19th and 20th centuries. It also leaves out the 1967 clashes over Sikkim and glosses over the role played by China during the 1971 Bangladesh war. Overall, a decent book, full of details, and the writing style keeps one interested and engaged for the most part. Sometimes, though, there is almost too much information and I found myself skipping some sections altogether. 3/5

[Rajiv Chopra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bertil Lintner's book is excellent and is essential reading for anyone who wants to study the events leading up to the 1962 Indo-China war and the subsequent events. Unlike other books which focus only on the war, this one takes you back to the earliest discussions, which are about the MacMahon Line. The book continues on to the developments taking place after the war. He has written a well-balanced and well-researched book.

Buy it. Read i

[Sabyasachi Chowdhury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Factually correct as i find relations with many other books for that part of the world. Overall an amazing read for prople who not only are interested in india china relations, but wants a run down of that whole region including tibet, nepal, bhutan, sikkim and mayanmar…..

[Max Baruah · Rating 3 out of 5]

too much text....lots of them unnecessary.

[Chax Donitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently written and very balanced in perspective. Looks at the India-China relationship through the perspective of the 1962 war at a strategic/grand strategic level.

Worth a read

[Zalor Tien · Rating 2 out of 5]

作者懷著很強的歷史偏見與預設觀點，大多數文字是在誅心，而非實證

[Yathartha Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Must read for an informed context on Sino-India relations; 10/10 as a history book, 6/10 for analysis of the conflict