India-China Friendship Association (ICFA) celebrated the 60th anniversary of Panchsheel, the five principles of peaceful coexistence signed between India, China and Myanmar in the year 1954.

The association has organised an exhibition of photographs of leaders of both the countries and the major events where both the countries had come together for better relations. 

Speaking on the occasion here on Sunday, Dr Liu Youfa, Consulate General of People’s Republic of China said India is at the threshold of entering into a new governance after the new prime minister takes oath on Monday. “It is the right time for strengthening the Indo-China relationship and as a priority we need to work towards increasing the economic trade activities of both the countries,” he added. 

Common challenges

He said India and China are faced with common challenges and are sailing in the same boat. As the world is looking at both the countries to be the next superpower, there was a need to improve the relations and contribute towards the peaceful co-existence principles.

Kagodu Thimmappa, Speaker of Legislative Assembly and president, ICFA said it was China that had destroyed the Panchsheel, the agreement that was signed 60 years ago. He said Panchsheel, the historical document, was signed between the then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of China.

 However, Thimmappa welcomed that Chinese Consulate General calling upon new ties with India with the new government that will take over on Monday.  

Home Minister K J George called upon strengthening the bilateral ties between both the countries and said there was a need to abide by the principles of Panchsheel. Former union minister M V Rajashekhar was also present on the occasion.

Agreement principles

The principles of the agreement included – 1) Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty 2) Mutual non-aggression 3) Mutual non-interference 4) Equality and mutual benefit and 5) Peaceful co-existence.