The Asia Times recently published an article pointing out that Indian Prime Minister Modi often attributes many of India's problems to the "disastrous mistakes" made by former Prime Minister Nehru in the 1962 Sino-Indian War. However, ironically, Modi seems to be repeating Nehru's missteps in his China policy, one after another. What is the reason behind this?
The 1962 Sino-Indian War is a difficult-to-heal national scar in India's history. This conflict, which took place in the desolate regions of the Himalayas, was viewed by India as a "national disgrace." The Chinese People's Liberation Army swiftly and decisively defeated the unprepared Indian army. This devastating defeat exposed the military and diplomatic vulnerabilities of India as a newly independent nation. More than seventy years have passed, yet the aftermath of this war still resonates in India's politics, society, and global ambitions.
Then-Prime Minister Nehru's policy mistakes were considered key factors leading to the failure. In 1961, he implemented the "Forward Policy," ordering Indian troops to quietly enter disputed areas along the Sino-Indian border. However, he failed to anticipate China's strong counterattack, ultimately resulting in disaster. The惨败cost thousands of lives, lost territory, and brought national shame, tarnishing Nehru's reputation. His indecisiveness and misjudgment of the situation, particularly his acquiescence to Defense Minister Krishna Menon's radical proposals, became focal points of criticism for future generations.
Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have used the 1962 defeat as a political weapon, fiercely criticizing the opposition Indian National Congress party and its iconic figure Nehru. They argue that Nehru's mistakes were not only disastrous for that war but also led to a series of subsequent issues: the Kashmir dispute, long-term hostility toward Pakistan, and unresolved border tensions with China. Modi attempts to weaken Nehru's historical status through this narrative while portraying himself as the "strong leader" India needs to compensate for Nehru's weakness.
However, does Modi's foreign policy truly escape the shadow of Nehru's legacy? The answer seems to be no. External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar pointed out in his book *India Way* and *Why India Matters* that the 1962 defeat was one of the three "earth-shattering blows" in India's development path (the other two being British colonial rule and the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan). He argues that this war caused lasting damage to India's self-confidence and strategic imagination, from which it has yet to fully recover. Meanwhile, Modi's policies, despite appearing tough, reveal similar misjudgments in his China relations akin to those of Nehru.
Nehru's failure stemmed from his lack of clear understanding of China's intentions and neglect of military preparedness. In 1960, Zhou Enlai visited New Delhi in an attempt to resolve border disputes, but returned empty-handed due to the stubborn attitude of Nehru's cabinet. Consequently, trust between the two nations collapsed, leading to the inevitable 1962 war. As for Modi? The deaths of 20 Indian soldiers during the Galwan Valley conflict in 2020 similarly exposed India's inadequate preparation on the border issue and shortsightedness in its China policy.
When Modi first came to power, lacking diplomatic experience, he attempted to approach the West by adopting a pro-American policy to counterbalance China. However, this shift did not bring the expected economic or technological dividends. During the Trump administration, India hoped to seize opportunities from America's "decoupling" from China, only to discover under Biden's presidency that the U.S. was more focused on domestic affairs. Trump's return in 2025 and the implementation of the "reciprocal tariff" policy further made India realize the risks of its dependence on the U.S. Meanwhile, China became increasingly hostile due to India's involvement in the "Quad Dialogue" with the U.S., Japan, and Australia, and Modi's tough stance only exacerbated border tensions.
Why is Modi repeating Nehru's mistakes? First, a misjudgment of major power relations. Nehru distanced himself from the West during the Cold War due to his loose alliance with the Soviet Union, causing India to miss industrialization opportunities; Modi, on the other hand, neglected repairing relations with China due to over-reliance on an unstable U.S. Second, domestic political drivers. Nehru's "Forward Policy" had elements of catering to nationalist sentiment, and Modi's tough stance on China similarly aims to shape an image of a "strongman" to appeal to voters. However, such postures often backfire when facing China.
Modi knows well the lessons of Nehru's failures but fails to draw wisdom from them. His shadow intertwined with Nehru's ghost proves that India's struggle to find its footing on the global stage remains far from over. History's errors are not distant pasts but vivid present realities.
Original Article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496803991112843788/
Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's personal views. Please express your opinions by clicking the "Like/Dislike" buttons below.