ABSTRACT
A joint Anglo-American airlift of small arms, clothing, equipment for high altitude warfare, along with the supply of some transport aircraft began in early November 1962. The experience of 1962 initially demanded a complete overhaul of India’s strategic thinking and defence policy. The post-China War period, thus, showed and reflected several distinct characteristics: First, unlike the pre-1962 period when Jawaharlal Nehru’s philosophy and experience dominated the formulation of India’s foreign policy, there was a greater interest shown, and participation by, the members of the Parliament. Second, the post-1962 era was characterised by a general awareness among the common people that the main threats to India from the security point of view came from both Pakistan and China. Third, the perception of threat emanating from two of India’s neighbours made it necessary to constantly evaluate the global alignment of the superpowers, and this called for a shift from the strategy of non-alignment.
