Dalai Lama’s visit to Tawang on 8th – 9th October 2009 has raised the antennas of the Chinese Government who have expressed their unhappiness for allowing Dalai Lama to go to a territory which they claim to be theirs. The Chinese have consistently been seeking a forward policy with India claiming 93000 sq kilometres of Arunachal Pradesh right down to north bank of Brahmaputra in Assam (besides their occupation of land at Aksai Chin in Ladhak and in Gilgit in Pakistan occupied Kashmir). Now they even object to who should visit Arunachal Pradesh. Even Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh has to been in this light. It is unfortunate that Prime Minister did not visit Tawang when in he visited Arunachal Pradesh last year (which was visited by an Indian Prime Minister after 9 years). While no reasons were provided as to why he did not keep Tawang in his itinerary, it appeared to the country that it was done to avoid the Chinese criticism. However, with his visit to Tawang in October 2009 this issue seems to have been put to rest. The latest issue of Dalai Lama’s visit has again put Chinese antennas up. The Chinese have been told politely but firmly that Dalai Lama is an honoured guest and he can go to any part of India as and when he likes. It is a little reassuring to the people of India that the government has taken a stand to allow Dalai Lama to visit Tawang in spite of the Chinese protest. What is little unsettling is that foreign Journalists have been barred from entering Arunachal during this period.
Chinese aggressive postures have been consistent with the world including India even when they were a weak nation. It may be recalled that in spite of Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru’s indulgence of the communist regime in China since their taking over in 1949, especially taking up the issue of their UN Membership in place of Taiwan when no western power was prepared to do so, has been paid back to India in a totally different manner. The Chinese occupation of Tibet by military force and thereafter treatment of Tibetans in a brutal manner has not been accepted by the world. India, however gave them a certificate in 1954 by the infamous Panchsheel agreement in which we not only conceded Tibet as a region of China, but voluntarily gave up our existing rights in Tibet inherited from the British including maintaining some troops. We also did not even seek a border settlement in return. The Chinese are now also using their economic and political might to downplay visits of Dalai Lama of which the latest victims are President Obama for not meeting Dalai Lama during the latter visit to US, UK’s and France’s abject surrender. While India may not be a powerful country, it has always been ahead of times and taken stand. We provided a lot of accommodation to the Chinese in their early days when they were condemned by rest of the world. We even accepted Tibet as a region of China even though it was a military occupation (still remains). But now with their obnoxious behaviour towards India on issues of direct concern to India like renewed border claims in Arunachal, we need to have little modification in our foreign policy even if we have stand out alone and speak up to China.
In the present instance, Dalai Lama’s visit to Tawang, while routine, has irked the Chinese. There is no reason why India should soft peddle the issue and not allow foreign journalists to visit Arunachal Pradesh. Infact, according to press at least four foreign journalist were issued 30 day permits to visit Arunachal Pradesh but the same was cancelled at the last minute. The foreign Correspondents club of South Asia has issue a terse statement to this effect.
If the purpose of the present action is to appease the Chinese Government, it will not help. It will be taken in as yet another buckling in by India- confirming their view that a weak Indian government can always be bullied into submission.
Dr Sanat Kaul was earlier served in Arunachal Pradesh and Ministry of Home Affairs
Chinese aggressive postures have been consistent with the world including India even when they were a weak nation. It may be recalled that in spite of Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru’s indulgence of the communist regime in China since their taking over in 1949, especially taking up the issue of their UN Membership in place of Taiwan when no western power was prepared to do so, has been paid back to India in a totally different manner. The Chinese occupation of Tibet by military force and thereafter treatment of Tibetans in a brutal manner has not been accepted by the world. India, however gave them a certificate in 1954 by the infamous Panchsheel agreement in which we not only conceded Tibet as a region of China, but voluntarily gave up our existing rights in Tibet inherited from the British including maintaining some troops. We also did not even seek a border settlement in return. The Chinese are now also using their economic and political might to downplay visits of Dalai Lama of which the latest victims are President Obama for not meeting Dalai Lama during the latter visit to US, UK’s and France’s abject surrender. While India may not be a powerful country, it has always been ahead of times and taken stand. We provided a lot of accommodation to the Chinese in their early days when they were condemned by rest of the world. We even accepted Tibet as a region of China even though it was a military occupation (still remains). But now with their obnoxious behaviour towards India on issues of direct concern to India like renewed border claims in Arunachal, we need to have little modification in our foreign policy even if we have stand out alone and speak up to China.
In the present instance, Dalai Lama’s visit to Tawang, while routine, has irked the Chinese. There is no reason why India should soft peddle the issue and not allow foreign journalists to visit Arunachal Pradesh. Infact, according to press at least four foreign journalist were issued 30 day permits to visit Arunachal Pradesh but the same was cancelled at the last minute. The foreign Correspondents club of South Asia has issue a terse statement to this effect.
If the purpose of the present action is to appease the Chinese Government, it will not help. It will be taken in as yet another buckling in by India- confirming their view that a weak Indian government can always be bullied into submission.
Dr Sanat Kaul was earlier served in Arunachal Pradesh and Ministry of Home Affairs
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