Historically the Indians see the Chinese as being just another bunch of Mongol invaders. The Chinese think of the Indians as being little more than unwashed hairy barbarians.
This "prejudice" stands in the way of any realistic, long-term peaceful relationship.
If you hear Indian and/or Chinese politicians telling you otherwise they are telling lies!
This is too simplistic a theory. With increased travel you will find that Chinese and Indians will understand each other better. The older Chinese do regard the Indians as cowardly but the younger chinese generation has a different mindset.
Condi did screw up. There was lots of back room rumours about an Indo-US alliance to be announced. The post Tsunami US-India-Japan-Australia "core group" rheoteric was being taken quite seriously by the media. But after the F-16s sale to Pakistan the mood here has changed. India is now wary of an alliance with the US.
It doesnt mean that India has already joined the Chinese camp but just that its a good idea to cool of the relationship with China.
Chinese or the Mongals never invaded India except in 62