Nehru's adamance that China withdraw from Aksai Chin and thus abandon the highway was seen as another Indian attempt to undermine China's presence in Tibet. According to John W. Garver, China reached the incorrect conclusion that Nehru was continuing his "grand plans in Tibet".
Nehru's unwavering insistence that China vacate Aksai Chin and abandon the highway was viewed as another Indian attempt to diminish China's foothold in Tibet. As stated by John W. Garver, China incorrectly assumed that Nehru was pursuing his "ambitious agenda in Tibet".