Introduction:
The Korean War, which broke out in 1950, remains one of the defining conflicts of the 20th century. While the involvement of major world powers such as the United States and China is well-known, the role played by India in attempting to end the war is often forgotten. As a young democracy with no strategic interests or influence in Korea, India stepped up as a messenger, peace broker, negotiator, and even a custodian of prisoners of war. This article delves into the forgotten story of India's efforts to prevent World War III and highlights the importance of diplomacy in resolving conflicts.
The Escalation of the Korean War:
At the end of World War II, the Korean Peninsula was divided between the United States and the Soviet Union, with the 38th parallel serving as the dividing line. The original plan was to let the Koreans figure out their own governance, but the onset of the Cold War led to the North becoming communist and the South anti-communist. Tensions escalated when North Korea invaded the South, leading to the intervention of the United States and the subsequent outbreak of the Korean War.
India's Warning and Diplomatic Efforts:
In the midst of the war, India found itself in a unique position to contribute to peace efforts. In 1950, as American soldiers were closing in on the 38th parallel, the Indian Ambassador received a summons from Premier Zhou Enlai of China. At the meeting, the Ambassador received a message, not intended for India, but for the United States and Britain. The message conveyed China's warning that it would intervene if American troops crossed the 38th parallel. Despite India's efforts to relay this warning, the Americans and British dismissed it, leading to a missed opportunity for averting further escalation.
India's Role at the United Nations:
India, a member of the United Nations, actively participated in diplomatic discussions regarding the Korean War. When the Security Council passed resolutions calling for the North Koreans to withdraw and providing assistance to South Korea, India voted in favor. However, when it came to granting full command over UN forces to the United States, India abstained. This decision reflected India's desire to maintain a balanced approach and not align too closely with any particular side in the conflict.
Medical Assistance and Humanitarian Aid:
Although India did not send combat troops to Korea, it made significant contributions in the field of healthcare. The 60th Parachute Field Ambulance, a medical unit from India, was deployed to provide medical assistance to wounded soldiers. The unit conducted over 2,300 surgeries and cared for approximately 200,000 injured soldiers. The dedication and professionalism of the Indian medical personnel earned praise from many Korean veterans.
India's Efforts in Prisoner Repatriation:
One of the crucial aspects of the Korean War was the issue of prisoners of war. At the height of the conflict, there were approximately 170,000 prisoners in UN custody. A disagreement arose between the United States and China regarding their repatriation. The United States advocated for individual choice, while China insisted on a full exchange. Sensing an opportunity to contribute to peace efforts, India appointed a special envoy, Krishna Menon, to find a solution.
Menon proposed the creation of a special commission with five members to handle the repatriation process. Prisoners who wished to return home would be allowed to do so, while those who did not would remain in UN custody. This proposal aimed at providing a fair and logical resolution to the issue. Although the plan was approved by the General Assembly, it faced opposition from the Soviet Union and ultimately failed due to Cold War politics.
India's Role as a Custodian and Protector:
Undeterred by setbacks, India continued its commitment to resolving the prisoner repatriation issue. When a ceasefire agreement was finally reached in 1953, India was appointed as the chair of the committee responsible for overseeing the safe return of prisoners. This mammoth task involved looking after the custody and welfare of around 170,000 prisoners of war in a foreign land.
India deployed five contingents to protect the prisoners, with four departing from Chennai by ship and one airlifted from Kolkata. These Indian soldiers were stationed on the southern side of the demilitarized zone in an area known as Hindu Nagar. Their orders were clear: don't engage, don't use force, and don't take sides. The Indian soldiers carried out their duties admirably, despite the challenging circumstances and occasional incidents of hostility.
The repatriation process was a complex endeavor, and not all prisoners wished to return home. Approximately 22,000 prisoners chose not to be repatriated, and India took custody of them. This responsibility of looking after a significant number of prisoners in a foreign land presented unique challenges. In November 1953, a few prisoners took Indian soldiers hostage, necessitating the personal intervention of General Timaya. These incidents underscored the risks and dangers faced by the Indian soldiers involved in the operation.
India's Legacy and Lessons Learned:
In the end, India's diplomatic efforts and contributions played a significant role in facilitating the end of the Korean War. The war concluded with an armistice in 1953, but the absence of a peace deal has perpetuated tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea's nuclear ambitions and ongoing missile tests indicate that the dream of a unified Korea remains elusive.
The experience of India in the Korean War highlights the importance of diplomacy, particularly for a country like India that values a non-aligned and neutral foreign policy. India's commitment to quiet diplomacy, even in the absence of direct strategic interests, demonstrates the potential of such an approach in facilitating peacemaking. The Korean War serves as a reminder that success in politics and diplomacy lies in perseverance and the willingness to explore peaceful solutions.
Conclusion:
India's forgotten role in the Korean War sheds light on the significance of smaller nations in resolving conflicts through diplomatic efforts. As a young democracy, India played a multifaceted role as a messenger, peace broker, negotiator, and custodian of prisoners of war. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, India remained committed to finding peaceful solutions and contributed to the eventual conclusion of the war.
The Korean War stands as a testament to the importance of diplomacy and the potential for neutral nations to act as mediators. India's experiences during this conflict offer valuable lessons that resonate to this day. By continuing to embrace diplomacy and peaceful solutions, India can contribute to the resolution of conflicts and work towards a more peaceful world.
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Ninteen forty five the Korean Peninsula looks like this no North or South just one single Korea the Japanese had been driven out of the country so someone had to take charge the U.S and Soviet Union jammed at the chance they carved up the country the Soviets would control the north the U. S would control the south in the middle was this line the 38th parallel even today divides North and South Korea but that was not the original plan the plan was to leave the peninsula to let the Koreans figure things out unfortunately that never happened the cold war came in between the North became communist the South became anti-communist but still one question remained who is the real Korea the north decided to fight it out they sent around 75 000 soldiers to invade the South enter the United States they did what they do best they intervened and that's how the Korean war broke out the first conflict of the Cold War you may have heard the story but did you know that India played a key role in this war New Delhi juggled many hats messenger peace broker negotiator and prisoner of war custodian it's a forgotten story of how a young democracy tried to prevent World War III the date is October 2nd 1950 American soldiers are on the March they're closing in on the 38th parallel thousands of kilometers away in Beijing the Communists are worried what if the war spills over around midnight the Indian Ambassador gets a summon Premier Zhu and Lai wanted to meet at this meeting the Ambassador got a message it wasn't for India though the message was for the U.S and Britain if American troops crossed the 38th parallel China will intervene that was the message or come to think of it the warning the Indian Ambassador noted it at around 1 30 am he cabled it to then prime minister jawaharlal nehru now you may be thinking why go to all this trouble why not tell the Americans directly because they had no ambassadors the U.S did not recognize the Communist Regime in Beijing for them the regime was in Taiwan so no diplomatic Channels with Beijing existed hence the message by India nehru sent this message to the U.S and Britain they did not take it seriously the Americans thought it was Communist propaganda or maybe panic mongering from India either way they ignored it big mistake Weeks Later China entered the battlefield it was now a much bigger War South Korea and the U. S on one side North Korea and China on the other I point my finger at these representatives of the Chinese Communist Regime and I ask why do they come here with unclean ends I ask again why does this group come here with the hands that drip with the blood the blood of the United Nations troops the blood of the Korean people in New Delhi nehru was angry and worried angry because the Americans ignored him worried because the war was escalating India had all sorts of concerns what if the Soviet Union entered the battle what if other Asian countries were Dragged In so India decided to play Peacemaker meanwhile in New York a diplomatic battle was unfolding here at the United Nations it is also our duty to look beyond the conflict and to find means whereby peace and unity can be restored in Korea in our views they must no longer be South Koreans and North Koreans the just Korean who must be encouraged to work together to rebuild that country with the advice and the help and the support of the United Nations when the war broke out the security Council passed three resolutions first the North Koreans should withdraw India voted in favor second give assistance to South Korea again India voted in favor third give America full command over the U.N forces in the abstained how did these resolutions get passed because the Soviet Union was not there it was boycotting the UNSC at that time Taiwan still held China seat on the council so Stalin said we won't participate India never sent fighting troops to Korea but it deployed the 60th parachute field ambulance and they did fantastic work they held around 200 000 wounded soldiers also conducted more than 2 300 surgeries many Korean veterans had great things to say about India months later Soviet Union return to the UNSC so no more resolutions Stalin's delegation vetoed everything what did the Americans do well they shifted to the general assembly they created a special committee for ceasefire it had three members including India the general assembly approved their proposals but China did not then in 1951 the general assembly voted to sanction China it seemed like a dead end as if no one wanted peace U.S president Harry Truman threatened to use nuclear bombs in Korea irresponsible yes but listen to what Mao zidong said in response Mao said China has a population of 600 million even if half of them are killed we had 300 million left slow claps for China's greatest Statesman as the war escalated India almost gave up then in 1952 there was hope again it had nothing to do with mature leadership though it's just that no one was winning so both sides decided to give peace a shot they met in a village called panmunjon near the border fun fact if North and South Korea ever want to talk they still go to this Village it's also where Donald Trump met Kim Jong-un anyway in 1952 there was an agreement on most issues except one prisoners of War there were 170 000 prisoners in U.N custody America said give them a choice let them decide if they want to return home China disagreed it wanted a full Exchange that's when India got cracking again it appointed a special Envoy to find a solution Menon his specialty no one liked him neither the West nor the Communists menon's proposal was this let's create a special commission to handle the prisoners with five members prisoners who wanted to return could do so those who did not would be in U.N custody it was a logical and fair proposal but this was the Cold War logic wasn't exactly in much demand the general assembly approved the plan the Soviets did not diplomacy failed the fighting resumed more innocent people died thousands were injured and displaced then in 1953 Common Sense prevailed North and South Korea signed an armistice but what about the prisoners a new version of Krishna menon's plan was adopted a new committee was set up India was appointed chair it was a mammoth task many countries questioned India's capacity they doubted whether India could pull it off remember this was 1953 India had been free for just six years so to handle the repatriation of a hundred and seventy thousand prisoners was a big task and hanging in the balance was World Peace no pressure I guess India sent five contingents to protect the prisoners of War four left on a ship from Chennai one was airlifted from Kolkata the repatriation committee was headed by this man left in general a legend of the Indian army still among the best officers we've ever produced the soldiers deployed in Korea had clear orders don't engage don't use Force don't take sides from all accounts the soldiers did great the Indian soldiers they were based on the southern side of the demilitarized zone the area was called Hindu nagar so the troops were in place the camp was set and the orders were clear now to the tough part getting a hundred and seventy thousand prisoners home you would think it's easy after all who wouldn't want to go home after a war well think again around 22 000 prisoners did not want to return India got their custody can you imagine the situation looking after 22 000 prisoners of war in a foreign land it wasn't easy sometimes the prisoners acted out one incident in November 1953 stands out a few prisoners took Indian soldiers hostage General Timaya had to intervene himself it tells you how dangerous the job was nonetheless the Indian soldiers motored on they handed over the prisoners to various groups and countries finally just 88 remain they just won't go home guess what India did took them along those 88 prisoners returned to India with our soldiers 12 Chinese 74 North Koreans two South Koreans where are they now and many have left India to live in other countries some move to Germany others to Latin America but a few did stay back unfortunately their stories have not been documented thus ended a pretty intense conflict of the 20th century a young India successfully came out on top what are the experiences of 1950 teach us the importance of diplomacy especially for India we had no strategic interest or influence in Korea yet we helped in its own little way India pushed for peace and that Legacy is still alive take Ukraine for example India may not trumpet its plans like China that doesn't mean India doesn't care New Delhi has always believed in quiet diplomacy the key is to continue that India's neutrality isn't just a self-serving policy it can be a tool for peacemaking the Korean experience confirms that as for Seoul and Pyongyang there is much to learn they signed a ceasefire in July 1953 seven decades later there is no peace deal North Korea has become a nuclear Rogue State they fired over 23 projectiles this year so far and the dreams of a unified Courier look distant but like India showed in 1950 don't give up politics and diplomacy are all about trying success is secondary
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