Panchsheel Doctrine
Panchsheel and Peaceful Co-existence
The said basic principle derived from Indian philosophy was given formal recognition in 1954 when India and China signed the 'Declaration of Principles of Panchsheel' as the basis of mutual relations.
These five principles were explained in detail in the Indo-China Agreement of April 29, 1954 (Indo-China Agreement, 1954). In fact, this agreement was made to ensure trade relations between the Tibet region of India and China.
The following 'Panchsheel' i.e. five principles were mentioned in the preamble of this agreement.
- Respecting each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
- adhering to the principle of mutual non-aggression
- Not to interfere in each other's internal affairs.
- maintaining a sense of equality and mutual friendship
- Believe in peaceful coexistence.
The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru believed that if different countries determine their mutual relations on the basis of these five principles, then many problems of the world can be easily solved.Later on the word 'Panchsheel' became so popular all over the world that Nehru named it an 'International Coin'. In the Declaration of World Peace and Co-operation, adopted at the Asia-African Conference in Bandung City, Indonesia, in April 1955,these principles, especially the principle of peaceful coexistence, were adopted by the Inter parliamentary in Helsinki.
It was also included in a resolution of the Union (Inter-Parliamentary Union). By the end of 1956, many countries including Afghanistan,Burma, Indonesia, Egypt, Nepal, Poland, Soviet Union, Saudi Arabia and Yugoslavia had ratified 'Panchsheel'. Apart from these, the United Nations General Assembly also accepted the principles of Panchsheel in 1959. Use of the word 'Panchsheel' Found in ancient Buddhist literature. It is mentioned in Buddhist literature as the five principles of good conduct.
