Ready to offer help to ease tensions over Tibet: Krishna/ENG

2012. február 8./PTI/Tibet Sun/TibetPress

Describing Tibet issue as an internal affair of China, India said it was “willing to offer any help” to ease the recent spurt in tensions, striking a cautious note on the self immolations by Buddhist monks and subsequent violence.

External affairs minister, SM Krishna who held extensive talks with four senior Chinese leaders today, told the media here that the Tibetan issue had figured during the parleys.

“We did discuss Tibetan issue also. It is government of India’s position that the Tibetan Autonomous Region is part of the People’s Republic of China, (PRC) as a result of that we are dealing with internal affairs of China”, he said.

“Hence we have to be very cautious and any help that we can render to ease the tensions, we are too willing to do it. But I do not think that situation will ever arise”, he said.

Krishna was replying to question whether Chinese leaders have raised Beijing’s concerns over recent incidents in Tibet.

Elaborating on India’s stand, Indian officials said India is striking a cautious note on the Tibetan situation and want to reiterate that New Delhi is sticking to its previous stand that Tibet is part of China.

India also reportedly reiterated the stand that the Dalai Lama is an honoured guest and his activities were not political.

Sixteen Buddhist Monks attempted self immolations in the recent months and two persons were killed in recent violent demonstrations in Sichuan province, bordering Tibet.

China yesterday blamed the Tibetan Youth Congress for the violence and self immolations and vowed to put down the violence.

Krishna, who inaugurated the $10 million Indian Embassy began his day by meeting Zhou Yongkong, a senior politburo member of the ruling Communist Party of China, (CPC).