We the 225 representatives of All India Tibet Support Groups from various regions of India gathered at Chandigarh from September 5 – 7, 2003 fully endorse the rights of the Tibetan people in determining their own destiny. In accordance with their recognized right to self-determination and recognize His Holiness the Dalai lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile to be the sole legitimate representatives of the Tibetan People.
EXPRESSING OUR SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF TIBET
Recognizing
1. The fact that the Tibetan cultural and spiritual heritage is threatened with extinction, inter alias, by large scale transfer of ethnic Chinese to Tibet and the continuing and wide spread restrictions and denial of fundamental freedoms, notably the freedom of assembly, association and religion.
2. The 2200 years of spiritual, cultural, traditional and economic bond between Tibet and India and the invaluable role of Tibet as a buffer state between India and China.
3. That India never shared a single inch of land as a common border with China prior to the invasion of Tibet by China in 1949.
4. That the negotiated settlement to the problem of Tibet is imperative to the security of India.
Appreciating
1. The pragmatic proposal in the given situation put forth by His Holiness the Dalai Lama for genuine autonomy to the people of Tibet
2. The far sighted suggestion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to convert Tibet into a Zone of Ahimsa
3. The recent effort to re-establish contact between the Peoples Republic of China and Tibetan Government in Exile for creating a conducive atmosphere
Appealing
1. To the Government of India to reorient its policy towards Tibet from expression of sympathy to extending political pro-active support.
2. To facilitate conclusive negotiations without pre-conditions as soon as possible, between the Tibetan Government in Exile and the People’s Republic of China by appointing a Coordinator for on Tibet.
3. To review the joint Declaration signed in Beijing between India and China in July 2003 with a view to removing any doubts abnout the future of Tibet.
4. To address urgently in interactions with the peoples Republic of China the serious threats to the ecology and security of India and Tibet from activities in the name of so called western development like construction of China-Tibet Railway lines, watch exploitation of Tibet’s natural resources and disturbing the flow of rivers like the Brahmaputra
5. The State Governments to help secure legitimate civic amenities in areas inhabited by Tibetans and legitimate facilities to carry out their petty businesses
6. To consider allotting some seats for Tibetan students for higher and technical studies
We hereby make a pledge and declaration in the name of the people of India to work ceaselessly to achieve the ultimate objectives of the people of Tibet
Adopted unanimously at the All India Tibet Support Groups Conference in India at Chandigarh on 7th of September, 2003
Signed
Dr. N. K. Tirkha
Convener
