820 Chapter 6
that China was planning an invasion of India, citing similarities between the pre-1962
invasion and the Chinese actions of the past several months.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from April 7, 1964. End Date changed from
February 4, 1965.
MID#623
Dispute Number: 623
Date(s): July 1965 to December 12, 1966
Participants: 750 India/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 101–250 deaths
Narrative: The Chinese government submitted a protest note to India claiming that on
four successive occasions in July 1965, Indian troops had crossed the China-Sikkim
border and entrenched themselves in Chinese territory. The Chinese charged that the
Indian military had erected structures in Chinese territory. China threatened that India
must dismantle these structures beyond the China-Sikkim boundary and withdraw
its forces, or there would be consequences. On September 20, Chinese troops were
observed moving across the Dongchui La pass in Sikkim and fired on an Indian post.
Three days prior to this incident, the Chinese had issued another ultimatum demand-
ing that India destroy the military structures built on the Chinese side of the Sikkim
border. Tensions continued into 1966, with a Chinese charge in May that India had
stationed large numbers of troops in Sikkim and crossed the China-Sikkim boundary
in order to provoke conflict. China stated that they had no desire to commit aggression
against its neighbors.
Coding changes: End Date changed from November 28, 1966.
MID#2097
Dispute Number: 2097
Date(s): June 19, 1967 to June 21, 1967
Participants: 710 China/750 India
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Riots by civilians outside the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi, India,
began on June 14, 1967. On June 17, the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned the Indian
chargé d’affaires in Peking, Mr. Ram Sathe, to remove all Indian staff and families
from the Indian Embassy or their safety could not be ensured. Civilian protesters laid
siege to the Indian Embassy. On June 18, India protested, warning that if the siege did
not end within 24 hours, they would be forced to take action. Armed Indian sentries
seized the Chinese Embassy the next day. After this incident, the siege of the Indian
Embassy ended, and Mr. Sathe was informed that the Indian Embassy staff were free
to go. In response, the Indian government released its hold of the Chinese Embassy
on June 21.