It's 60 years since India established diplomatic relations with the newly formed People's Republic of China, becoming one of the first countries outside the Socialist bloc to do so.
Today China is India's largest trading partner, with trade volumes of over 50 billion dollars in 2008. But the two countries have a troubled history. They fought a brief border war in 1962 and there are continuing border issues - including over Kashmir and Sikkim.
Last year a visit by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the disputed north-east Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh brought heavy criticism from China. Both countries accuse each other of violating the border and illegally occupying areas in each other's territories.
Mishal Husain spoke to Salman Haider, a former Indian Foreign Secretary who also served as India's Ambassador to China.
Impact Asia with Mishal Husain is broadcast weekdays at 1300, 1330 and 1400 GMT on the BBC World News channel. Find out more information about regional broadcast times
here.
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