Dharamsala, September 12 – The Kashag today reiterated its earlier stand on India’s relation with China. Answering a question asked by a deputy, the Kalon Tripa of the Central Tibetan Administration, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said that more the relation between China and India prospers better it will be for Tibet.
Prof. Rinpoche was responding today to the questions raised in the sixth session of the 13th Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies over his Kashag’s reaction to the media over the signing of Joint Declaration between India and China during the Indian Prime Minister’s China visit earlier this year.
The exile head of the Kashag, comparing India, China and Tibet with three men with similar disease, said that the three had to be treated together and that without India’s involvement, the issue of Tibet is inevitably difficult to solve.
Explaining his views that improvements in India – China relations will benefit Tibet in the long run, the Kalon Tripa said that a time is not far when India and China will become very close, as is indicated by the recent unity between the two at Cancun, in raising voices against America and EU.
Rinpoche made it clear that his administration does not suggest that the Tibetans should wait for a ripe time for India and China to become close enough for the Tibetans not to make efforts own their own to resolve the issue of Tibet.
The issue of Tibet and its resolution depend on the Tibetan people, he added.
On asked if the Kashag had any contacts with the Indian government before or after Shri Vajpayee’s China visit, the Kalon Tripa said, ” how can there be any contacts when the Tibetan exile administration itself is not recognised by New Delhi?”
Issues of rapid growth of disco-hype and alcoholism among the Tibetan youngsters were also raised by the deputies. The Kalon for Home affairs Mr. Lobsang Nyima said every step has been taken by his department in controlling alcoholism and juvenile delinquency in the Tibetan communities.
We have provided other means of livelihood for the Tibetan families who survive on the business of Chang (Tibetan traditional drink made from Barley, rice etc), he said.
