There is an old proverb that tells you that you should not befriend those who do not share your values. Sooner or later conflict is bound to arise due to the difference in ideology. Anyone could have predicted that friendship with a communist China and a democratic India was a mismatch.

India should have learned in 1950 itself the nature of the beast when China annexed the peace-loving country, Tibet.

Sadly, Indian leaders did not learn anything and developed a very cordial relationship with China. Mr Zhou Enlai, the then Prime Minister of China, visited India in 1960 and enjoyed a friendly welcome reserved for a close family member. The Indian Prime Minister at that time, Mr Jawaharlal Nehru, even coined the phrase, “Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai” (Indians and Chinese are brothers). I recall as a student shouting this slogan repeatedly. They say if one repeats something, again and again, then one starts to believe it to be true. The effect was so strong that every Indian felt that friendship between China and India was heavenly made.