India and China are two of the oldest civilizations in the world, with a shared history of over 5000 years. However, in recent years, their relationship has been marked by conflict and mistrust. In this context, organizations like the India China Friendship Association (ICFA) Punjab and Chandigarh Chapter play an important role in strengthening mutual relations between the people of both countries.
ICFA Punjab and Chandigarh Chapter was founded in 1977 by a group of intellectuals comprising educationists, journalists, lawyers, and industrialists, under the leadership of late Prof. Tara Chand Gupta, late Major Jewan Tewari, and Barrister Roshan Lal Batta. Since 2017, the organization is being led by Barrister Roshan Lal Batta (President), Rajender Mohan Kashyap (General Secretary), and Mrs. Geeta Sharma (Cashier).
The mission and philosophy of ICFA Punjab and Chandigarh Chapter is to promote diversity and exchange between the people of India and the People’s Republic of China. The organization believes that people on both sides are permanent ambassadors of global peace and that strengthening people-to-people bridges of empirical nature is the key to long-term stability and prosperity. ICFA also works in collaboration with its Chinese counterpart, the China India Friendship Association (CIFA), to explore avenues of culture, business relationship, civilizational heritage, defense cooperation, education, and entertainment.
The guiding principle of ICFA is the Panchsheel Path of Peace, which is a set of principles for peaceful coexistence that were first agreed upon by India and China in 1954. The five principles are mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. ICFA believes that adhering to these principles is essential to resolving all conflicts through dialogue between India and China.
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Despite the shared history and culture, the relationship between India and China has been fraught with tensions and conflicts. ICFA Punjab and Chandigarh Chapter believes that the lack of strong political will to resolve pending issues on time has cost both countries many good opportunities. Therefore, the organization has been advocating for a stronger political will to resolve all outstanding issues between India and China.
In conclusion, the India China Friendship Association (ICFA) Punjab and Chandigarh Chapter is a crucial organization that plays a significant role in strengthening mutual relations between the people of India and the People’s Republic of China. The organization’s focus on people-to-people exchange, collaborative efforts with its Chinese counterpart, and adherence to the Panchsheel Path of Peace makes it a valuable asset for building long-term stability and prosperity between the two countries.
- Mr. Rajender Mohan Kashyap. General Secretary, ICFA Punjab and Chandigarh Chapter (Whatsapp Mobile: +91 94171 50407).
- interviewed by Dr. Bikash Kali Das. Researcher @India-China relations. Contact-(+91 9080801723-WhatsApp/ Email -thebikashkali@gmail.com)
