Xi Jinping Praises India’s ‘Panchsheel’ Agreement and Nehru’s Non-Aligned Movement

(L-R) Amb. Raghavan, Zhou Enlai, PM Jawaharlal Nehru, Chairman Mao Zedong in Beijing, Oct 19, 1954

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, known as ‘Panchsheel’ in India, during a conference in Beijing marking its 70th anniversary. He suggested that these principles, which were also central to the Non-Aligned Movement, could help resolve current global conflicts and expand China’s influence in the Global South amid its ongoing tensions with Western countries.

Xi Jinping, 71, spoke about the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence at the event, linking them to his new Global Security Initiative, which envisions a shared future for humanity. The ‘Panchsheel’ principles were first outlined in the Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between the Tibet region of China and India, signed on April 29, 1954, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

The ‘Panchsheel’ principles were part of the legacy of India’s then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and China’s Premier Zhou Enlai, who tried but failed to resolve the boundary issues between their countries.

President Rajendra Prasad, VP S. Radhakrishnan, and PM Nehru with Zhou Enlai at Rashtrapati Bhavan June 26, 1954

Photo Credit: Photo Credit - mea.gov.in

“The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were a response to the needs of the time and were a historic development. The Chinese leadership first fully articulated these principles, which include ‘mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,’ ‘mutual non-aggression,’ ‘mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs,’ ’equality and mutual benefit,’ and ‘peaceful coexistence’,” Xi Jinping said.

He added that these principles were included in the joint statements between China-India and China-Myanmar, calling for them to be basic norms for international relations. The conference was attended by former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and several political leaders and officials from countries closely associated with China.

Xi Jinping noted that the ‘Panchsheel’ principles, which originated in Asia (India), quickly gained global recognition. In 1955, over 20 Asian and African countries attended the Bandung Conference, where these principles were highlighted. The Non-Aligned Movement, founded by Jawaharlal Nehru in the 1960s, adopted the ‘Panchsheel’ principles as its guiding framework.

“The Five Principles have set a historic benchmark for international relations and the rule of law,” Xi said, stressing their relevance in resolving today’s conflicts. He noted that these principles align with the UN Charter, the evolving trends in international relations, and the fundamental interests of all nations. Xi also linked them to his Global Security Initiative, which promotes joint security and the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Xi, who began his third five-year term last year, has been promoting several initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), to boost China’s global influence. Under the BRI, China has invested heavily in infrastructure projects in smaller countries, which has led to accusations of debt diplomacy as many nations struggle to repay Chinese loans.

Facing increasing competition from the US and EU, China has been working to strengthen its influence in Asian, African, and Latin American countries, collectively known as the Global South. Xi announced that China will establish a Global South Research Centre to support cooperation among these countries.

China will also provide 1,000 ‘Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence Scholarships of Excellence,’ offer 100,000 training opportunities to Global South countries over the next five years, and launch a ‘Global South Youth Leaders’ program, Xi said.

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