Mr. Thupstan Chhewang, Member of Indian Parliament submitted the following memorandum to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India prior to the Chinese President’s visit to India. Copies of the same were also sent to the Ministers for External Affairs, Defence and Home.
November 17, 2006
Dr Manmohan Singh
Hon’ble Prime Minister,
South Block,
New Delhi.
Esteemed Prime Minister,
We are extremely disturbed by the statements being made by Chinese leaders and researchers before the scheduled visit of their Hon’ble President Hu Jintao to this country. One may notice their little regard for political and diplomatic niceties. Living virtually next door to them across the mighty Himalayas we are conscious of the depth and range of their deception. What is shocking is that now they are not observing even modicum of decency and restraint.
By laying claim to Arunachal Pradesh Chinese Ambassador Suu Yuri has exceeded the limit of his assignment in New Delhi. He has spoiled a feel-good environment that was created following the reopening of Nathu -la pass in Sikkim. It is strange that he should use his stay in our country to challenge its sovereignty. The only lesson for us is to become doubly alert. We have no doubt that your Government will act in the best interest of the country while holding border talks with the visiting dignitary and his colleagues. It is high time that we reclaimed Aksai Chin which China had illegally occupied in 1962. Aksai Chin is a vast territory. We strongly feel its loss because it has been part of our region. Clearly China is not prepared to give up its expansionist designs.
Almost coinciding with the Chinese envoy’s statement there has been another development. A Beijing-based think-tank, Chinese International Studies, has expressed the view that India should dissolve the Tibetan Government in exile. As we know there is nothing like an independent think-tank in China which has shed its economic inhibitions but not political iron curtain. Therefore, there are reasons to believe that Chinese authorities have deliberately floated this view on the eve of their President’s visit giving an indication that it may very well be on his agenda.
This amounts to blatant inference in our internal affairs. It has caused anger and anguish all over the country. We know only too well how brusquely China has treated His Holiness Dalai Lama and his Tibetan followers. As believers in democracy it has been our privilege and honour to play hosts to them. H.H. Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet have warmly reciprocated our gesture and have never given us any cause of complaint. It will not be an exaggeration to say that they have instead handsomely contributed to preserving Buddha’s traditions in the land of His birth. They have been living among us as if they are one of us. Our spiritual ties with Tibet flowing from our shared genuine love and respect for Buddha and His teachings are centuries’ old. This is true as much at the level of governments as the common masses. We must continue to respect this relationship. Never should we deflect from our position that Tibet is a sovereign nation. Only H.H. Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people have the right to decide the destiny of their land from which they have been forcibly and illegally evicted.
With this background in view I will request you to kindly apprise the visiting dignitary of our feelings. We disapprove and condemn irresponsible and provocative utterances of his associates.
With Profound Regards,
Yours Sincerely
Thupstan Chhewang
