Himalayan Challenge: India, China and the Quest for Peace

by Subramanian Swamy

In September 1978, at the invitation of the prestigious Chinese people’s Institute of foreign affairs, Subramanian Swamy, then a Lok Sabha member of Parliament of the ruling Janata party and an elected member of the Party’s National executive, travelled to China as an envoy of the then prime Minister, Morarji Desai, where he met senior leader Ji pengfei. This led to the first contact, since 1962, between the ruling parties of both countries. Later, in April 1981, Swamy, the then deputy leader of the opposition, was invited to meet China’s Supreme leader, Chairman Deng Xiaoping. In this historic 100-minute meeting, Swamy successfully persuaded Deng to reopen the—Kailash Mansarovar route for Hindu pilgrims. In August that year, he also led the first delegation to the holy site, which he Revisited as a guest of the Chinese government in June 2016. It is this vast, first-hand experience that Swamy combines with a provocative exploration of historical sources and fascinating new insights to create Himalayan challenge—the most compelling and definitive account of India–China relations. From uncovering the perfidy committed by the British vis-a-vis the McMahon line in 1936 and the circumstances leading to the folly of war in 1962, to the current fluid situation at the border, this seminal work effortlessly blends meticulous scholarship and memoir-style writing in an intellectually rich fashion. Swamy breaks new ground when he suggests a middle path—grounded in pragmatism, and not carried out over fear or overreaction—that India must take in her interactions with China.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published December 10, 2020

About the author

Subramanian Swamy is an Indian politician, academic and an economist. He is the President of the Janata Party of India. He also presently serves as chairman of the SCMS Board of Governors of the SCMS Group of Educational Institutions in Kerala.
Swamy has previously served as member of the Planning Commission of India and Cabinet Minister of India. He has written extensively on foreign affairs dealing largely with India-China, India-Pakistan and Indo-Israel relation and is also a published author.
In November 1978, Swamy was member of the Group of Eminent persons called to Geneva to prepare a report of the United Nations (UNCTAD) on Economic Co-operation between Developing countries (ECDC).Swamy simplified trade procedures and formulated a new export strategy which became the forerunner of trade reform adopted subsequently. In 1994, Swamy was appointed as Chairman of the Commission on Labour Standards and International Trade by then Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao. This was perhaps for the first time that a Opposition Party member was given a Cabinet rank post by the ruling party.

Reviews

[Ujan Dutta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative, this factual book will give you detailed analysis of Sino Indian relationship since pre- independence, disputes on McMahon line, 1962 warfare and the present day border issues. The present day comparison between these two economies on multiple aspects (military, financial, nuclear arsenal etc. ) is also very insightful.

[Pramod Divedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this randomly at Ranchi book shop. Hoping Dr Swamy being an intellectual he is and his string handle on China.

Ofcourse he is biased against congress and isn't great fan of current dispensation. I also have doubts that he is a Chinese stooge. Nevertheless read it as a stoic and what a darn revealing book he is. It definitely answered infact confirmed and clarified few things as far as Military parity if India with China. The Geo strategic Jig Saw and game of chess being played.

It also gave me a balanced approach and understanding of everything wrong with India China post our freedom. It also gave me huge insight on Tibetan issue and how Nehru ji made a mockery of entire issue.

That's another legacy handed over to us.

If I can change the word Himalyan Blunder I will call it a Nehruvian Blunder. Infact this should be at higher degree.

[Vineeth Nair · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average read. Throws light on certain conversations made between political heads of India, China and Russia and even some leaked CIA documents of the 1960s. The author has dispassionately assessed the entire gambit of India - China relations.

[Girish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed and conclusive

Aa always Dr.Swamy puts a lifetime of knowledge and perspectives to great use. This book provides a clear history of why India and China relations are the way they are and what best can be expected in the future.

[mayank mittal]

would rate it at 4.1/5

[rahul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into Sino Indian dynamics....