ABSTRACT
The British believed that Indians lacked strategic culture and were incapable of creating strategic defensive structures to protect India. Once the South Asian subcontinent was divided, the defence of South Asia as well as Southeast Asia would be jeopardized. William Bundy, US defence secretary, stated the conclusions reached at the second London talks on the question of defence for India. China has already occupied Tibet and has an eye on India's north-east frontier comprising Tawang and Arunachal Pradesh. The Sino-Soviet conflict had opened the door to the possibility of Sino-American rapprochement and the United States seized the opportunity. The American response, under President Kennedy's personal direction, to the Chinese aggression against India was spontaneous and so remarkable that on his initiative official-level meetings were held between England and the United States to assist India at the hour of its need. The UK defence sales to China of missiles, destroyers and aero engine.
