NEW DELHI: Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Friday claimed that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru recognised Tibet as a part of China because he wanted to build a good relationship with China.While addressing the Bharat Himalayan Strategy Forum in Dehradun, General Chauhan recalled how the Panchsheel agreement was signed between India and China and said, “On independence, the British left, and it was for India actually to decide where a front is. Nehru probably knew that we had something, as the McMahon Line was in the east, and we had some kind of a claim in the Ladakh area, but it was not here. So that’s why he wanted to go in for a Panchsheel agreement, and for the Chinese also. When they had kind of liberated Tibet, they had moved into Lhasa. This particular area was extreme at both ends.””So they wanted stability, probably in this particular region. Independent India was keen to build a good relationship with China. In 1954, India recognised Tibet as part of China. Both countries signed the Panchsheel Agreement,” he added.General Chauhan also said that the India must rethink how it views Himalayan boundary, particularly in Uttarakhand’s middle sector.”Himalayas have functioned more as a zone of interaction rather than a border of exclusion. Uttarakhand is a civilisation landscape where the sacred and the strategic have been coexisting for ages,” CDS said.The right place actually to have a think tank like BHISM because in Dehradun, it is uniquely positioned to develop static thought that is terrain conscious, system oriented, and long horizon in its character,” he added.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Bangladesh Rejected Pakistan-Backed Jamaat’: Experts Decode BNP’s Historic Return To PowerCDS General Anil Chauhan Links History With Border Disputes With China, Recalls Nehru Knew About It’He Is A Habitual Liar’: Farmers At Centre As Piyush Goyal Slams Rahul Gandhi On India US Trade DealPoK And Aksai Chin In India Map: US Trade Deal Post Forced Pakistan To Rush Washington To RectifyPak PM Sharif Heads To Washington As India Weighs Strategic Cost Of Joining Trump’s Board of PeaceBNP’s Tarique Rahman Set To Become Bangladesh PM After Sweeping Victory In Historic ComebackBangladesh PM Hasina Calls Elections Rigged, Urges Credible Fresh Polls, Attacks Yunus‘Modi Under Trump’s Grip’: Rahul Gandhi Hits Back At Nishikant Dubey’s Motion‘Privilege Motion’ A Code Word? Rahul Gandhi Takes Dig At Media; BJP Hits BackIndus Waters Row Deepens After Pakistan’s ‘Dewatering’ Charge On New Dam, India Dismisses Claim123PhotostoriesThe 50: From falling in love on Bigg Boss 9 to facing a ‘rough patch’- Prince Narula and Yuvika Chaudhary’s relationship timeline5 iconic Shiva temples in India to visit this Maha Shivratri 2026Pune district annual plan 2026-27: Rs 1,032 crore focused on development and growthValentine’s day tarot guidance based on your birth numberTyler Durden in ‘Fight Club’ to J.D. in ‘Thelma & Louise’: 5 fan-favorite Brad Pitt roles that still captivate audiences5 signs your intuition is trying to warn you5 Indian artists whose paintings now sell for crores at auctionsHow to make Delhi’s famous light and fluffy Ram Laddu at homeReady-to-move vs under-construction homes: Which is a better investment optionTop 10 powerful passports of 2026; check India’s position123Hot PicksIT Stocks CrashGold Silver PricesBangladesh Election ResultsTelangana Municipal Elections ResultsIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingMarvel Rivals Season 6.5 Release dateErika KirkBad BunnyCatherine Polli Net WorthSeahawks Super Bowl paradeKayla NicoleAnthony JoshuaChloe KimCardi BMax Muncy
NEW DELHI: Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Friday claimed that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru recognised Tibet as a part of China because he wanted to build a good relationship with China.While addressing the Bharat Himalayan Strategy Forum in Dehradun, General Chauhan recalled how the Panchsheel agreement was signed between India and China and said, “On independence, the British left, and it was for India actually to decide where a front is. Nehru probably knew that we had something, as the McMahon Line was in the east, and we had some kind of a claim in the Ladakh area, but it was not here. So that’s why he wanted to go in for a Panchsheel agreement, and for the Chinese also. When they had kind of liberated Tibet, they had moved into Lhasa. This particular area was extreme at both ends.”“So they wanted stability, probably in this particular region. Independent India was keen to build a good relationship with China. In 1954, India recognised Tibet as part of China. Both countries signed the Panchsheel Agreement,” he added.General Chauhan also said that the India must rethink how it views Himalayan boundary, particularly in Uttarakhand’s middle sector.“Himalayas have functioned more as a zone of interaction rather than a border of exclusion. Uttarakhand is a civilisation landscape where the sacred and the strategic have been coexisting for ages,” CDS said.The right place actually to have a think tank like BHISM because in Dehradun, it is uniquely positioned to develop static thought that is terrain conscious, system oriented, and long horizon in its character,” he added.
