In 1954, India signed the Panchsheel agreement with which neighboring state ?

Correct option is C

The Panchsheel Agreement, formally known as the "Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between the Tibet Region of China and India," was signed between India and China on April 29, 1954. The agreement was based on five principles (Panchsheel) aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.

The Five Principles of Panchsheel:

1. Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
2. Mutual non-aggression.
3. Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
4. Equality and mutual benefit.
5. Peaceful coexistence.

Historical Context:

• The agreement marked an effort to improve relations between India and China after the People's Republic of China's assertion over Tibet.
• It was initially seen as a framework for peaceful and cooperative relations between the two countries.

However, the spirit of Panchsheel was short-lived, as tensions rose over border disputes, culminating in the Sino-Indian War of 1962.

Information Booster:

• Nepal and Sri Lanka: These countries were not involved in the Panchsheel Agreement.
• Pakistan: Relations with Pakistan were marked by conflicts and did not involve agreements like Panchsheel.

Additional Information:

• The Panchsheel principles have since been referenced in various international forums as a framework for peaceful coexistence.
• Despite its failure in the India-China context, the principles have influenced India's foreign policy, particularly in promoting non-alignment.