Dharamsala, August 24 – China on Tuesday asked India to “prudently handle” the issue of Tibet so as not to “disrupt” the ties between the two Asian giants.
The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said China objects to any foreign leaders meeting the exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama and that Beijing’s position has been conveyed to India.
“China opposes foreign political leaders meeting the Dalai Lama and we have made our position clear to the Indian side,” the spokesperson’s office said in response to a question on the recent meeting between the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Dalai Lama.
“The Indian government has on many occasions expressed that it recognised Tibet Autonomous Region as part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China and it will not allow Tibetans to engage in anti-China political activities in India,” it said.
“China hopes that the Indian side observes its commitments to Tibet related issues and prudently handle relevant issues so as to refrain from (causing) any disruption to the overall relationship between China and India,” it added.
The spokesperson’s reactions made no direct reference to the Indian foreign minister’s clarification which stated that the Tibetan leader was an “honoured guest” but it does not “encourage” him to engage in political activities.
Krishna had said India considers Tibetan Autonomous Region as part of China and his clarification “should bring down curtains on any controversy”.
China regularly reviles the 75-year-old Dalai Lama as a “separatist” and accuses the 1989 Nobel Peace prize winner of “splitting China”. The Tibetan leader however insists he is only seeking a genuine autonomy for the Tibetans within the People’s Republic of China and condemns the use of violence.
