Home » Zee Exclusive 'India’s China policy no longer over-cautious'

[Gossipmonger]

'India’s China policy no longer over-cautious'

After an epic 15-day foot journey over the Himalayan mountains, the spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, crossed the border into India in 1959. Since then, His Holiness has been India's honoured guest. China has time and again accused the Dalai Lama of damaging ties with India, but New Delhi has always been cautious in reacting to such a claim.

In a brief interview with Kamna Arora of Zeenews.com, Tenzin Taklha, spokesman of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, discusses India’s China policy and Tibet movement.

Kamna: How do you think will the Tibet Movement take shape after The Holiness retires?

Taklha: His Holiness the Dalai Lama has made it clear time and again that the issue of Tibet is not the issue of one person. It is the issue of six million Tibetans and their right. His Holiness is committed to democracy and ever since our arrival in 1959, His Holiness has been taking steps to democratise our administration.

Since 2001, we now have a directly-elected political leader who is carrying out the daily responsibility of leading the Tibetan political administration. Every five years, we have elections to this post. So, the Tibetan movement will continue despite His Holiness retiring as the head of our political establishment. It is, however, important to clarify that His Holiness will always be the Dalai Lama and cannot retire from this. Tibetans will always look to him as our leader. His Holiness will also continue to promote his two life-long commitments of promoting human values and religious harmony until his last breath.

Kamna: What do you think about India's political stand vis-à-vis China? Do you think the international community, especially India, should have done more for Tibet and Tibetans?

Taklha: In the past, His Holiness has commented that sometimes he feels the Government of India's policy towards China, especially on Tibet, has been over-cautious. In recent years, though, His Holiness feels the Government of India's policy has changed and it is no longer over-cautious. The Tibetan people in India remain extremely grateful to the Government of India and the people of India for all that they have done to make the Tibetan people one of the most successful refugee communities in the world.

Kamna: Former Czech president Vaclav Havel and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu wrote in an editorial that China's human rights abuses show it cannot be a world leader. What do you have to say about this?

Taklha: His Holiness has time and again said that China has the largest population in the world, a very strong economy and a strong military. However, in order to be a true superpower, it must also have the moral authority which it lacks. The closed society in China where everything is censored, (with) no media freedom and no right to information, is morally wrong. It is deceiving its own people. Therefore, for China to be a true superpower it must go along the global trend of more openness and respect the rights of the individuals. Only then will the rest of the world learn to trust China.

 

[CardSharp]

India thinks it can tip the balance. Very commendable.

 

[SpArK]

India thinks it can tip the balance.

Wow.. you do know quite a few things.. any more predictions for the day??

 

[CardSharp]

Wow.. you do know quite a few things.. any more predictions for the day??

Let's not have harsh words over old shoes.

 

[SpArK]

Let's not have harsh words over old shoes.

Thats what ive been telling you all the time... all these harsh words are futile and unnecessary.. lets just be positive, its just an internet forum.

 

[TechLahore]

Maybe my Chinese friends who are better versed in understanding "His Holiness'" abstract references can clarify this for me... what is he saying... that India used to be reserved about China but now the pretense is gone and there is a more direct confrontation? If so, I agree with him. And this should be noted by folks who think that India and China are close/getting close/will be close.

 

[MickyMouse]

Let's not have harsh words over old shoes.

Let that be reflected in your actions also

 

[CardSharp]

Maybe my Chinese friends who are better versed in understanding "His Holiness'" abstract references can clarify this for me... what is he saying... that India used to be reserved about China but now the pretense is gone and there is a more direct confrontation? If so, I agree with him. And this should be noted by folks who think that India and China are close/getting close/will be close.

No one was fooled, the idea of a Tibet card has been bounced around in Indian policy making for decades. I'd be interested in how they will play it.

My personal guess, China will call India's bluff before the card gets played.

 

[indian_reality]

the difference between china and India is people in India have a right to express.So if there is a war we get united leaving aside our internal squabbles as witnessed in 71. But china is sitting on a powder keg which is kept sterile by brute force and promise of development. Like Tibet and The Uighurs. Make no mistake they will take full advantage if there is a war. And look at your allies! Pakistan,which depends on US for every dollar.....or at most some obscure country. Whereas china wont be facing India alone. Add Japan, US, Singapore, Australia to the list of belligerents. Vietnam and Taiwan are also tired of chinese hegemony.So I wont count em out too. Recent change in Japan's defense policy should be a pointer to that direction. Russia will at worst stay aloof.
So before calling any bluff just think how you will call for help in case you decide to beat the war-drum

 

[CardSharp]

the difference between china and India is people in India have a right to express.So if there is a war we get united leaving aside our internal squabbles as witnessed in 71. But china is sitting on a powder keg which is kept sterile by brute force and promise of development. Like Tibet and The Uighurs. Make no mistake they will take full advantage if there is a war. And look at your allies! Pakistan,which depends on US for every dollar.....or at most some obscure country. Whereas china wont be facing India alone. Add Japan, US, Singapore, Australia to the list of belligerents. Vietnam and Taiwan are also tired of chinese hegemony.So I wont count em out too. Recent change in Japan's defense policy should be a pointer to that direction. Russia will at worst stay aloof.
So before calling any bluff just think how you will call for help in case you decide to beat the war-drum

Mock sincerity aside thank you for this post.

 

[indian_reality]

I forgot. Add South Korea to the list of belligerent and North Korea to your list of allies.

 

[tallboy123]

Guys get ready to see how people here will start dreaming of making the world to speak Mandrin chinese by 2025..

 

[below_freezing]

the difference between china and India is people in India have a right to express.So if there is a war we get united leaving aside our internal squabbles as witnessed in 71. But china is sitting on a powder keg which is kept sterile by brute force and promise of development. Like Tibet and The Uighurs. Make no mistake they will take full advantage if there is a war. And look at your allies! Pakistan,which depends on US for every dollar.....or at most some obscure country. Whereas china wont be facing India alone. Add Japan, US, Singapore, Australia to the list of belligerents. Vietnam and Taiwan are also tired of chinese hegemony.So I wont count em out too. Recent change in Japan's defense policy should be a pointer to that direction. Russia will at worst stay aloof.
So before calling any bluff just think how you will call for help in case you decide to beat the war-drum

i fully support india's decision to get help. it is the wisest thing india has ever done, to admit its inferiority and admit that it needs all the help it can get.

 

[CardSharp]

i fully support india's decision to get help. it is the wisest thing india has ever done, to admit its inferiority and admit that it needs all the help it can get.

Interesting list of countries isn't it? But I would suggest just focusing on seeking US help. It really is the only country with an appetite for intervention (we'll see how AFG and IRQ goes when the hypothetical war comes)

 

[tallboy123]

No one was fooled, the idea of a Tibet card has been bounced around in Indian policy making for decades. I'd be interested in how they will play it.

My personal guess, China will call India's bluff before the card gets played.