Tibet & India @ whatisindia.com

Historically, Tibet has been the bridge between the two ancient civilizations in India and China. But as the two nations stepped out into the modern world in the middle of the last century, Tibet immediately became the bone of political contention between New Delhi and Beijing. Differences between the two on their respective relations with Tibet cast a dark shadow over Sino-Indian ties and eventually led to the war in 1962. Despite the continuing effort over the last decade and a half to normalize bilateral relations, Tibet remains the lump in the throat of Sino-Indian ties. It can neither be spat out nor swallowed.

The massive changes in China and Tibet over the last two decades have unexpectedly opened the door for a realization of India's long-standing political objectives - autonomy for Tibetan people and the protection of their unique culture that is deeply linked to the Indian civilization, and preserving the special historic ties between New Delhi and Lhasa.

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The diplomatic challenge lies in reframing these issues for the new political environment of the 21st century.

Over the last five decades, Beijing has largely won the point that Tibet is an integral part of China. But it also had to move away from the repression of Tibet from the late 1950s towards more liberal and accommodative policies from the early 1980s, when Deng Xiaoping launched China on the path towards rapid modernization.

Even as it transforms the economic conditions in Tibet, China knows it still needs a final political settlement with the Dalai Lama who has lived in exile in India for more than four decades. The Dalai Lama himself has given up the notion of independence and is willing to explore the objective of "genuine autonomy''.

U.S. ‘concern’ over China’s anti-satellite test has now come to colour their defence-related engagement. (A Hotline To Prevent A Cold War, Hindu, P. S. SURYANARAYANA, Nov 08, 2007)

This incident happened when I was in Lhasa, in Tibet. (Middle-Aged At 136! , The Economic Times, Paramahamsa Sri Nithyananda, Nov 08, 2007)

If China thought it had effectively marginalised the Dalai Lama in recent years, it is being forced to think again. In the last few months, the Dalai Lama has once again shot back to international prominence. (Dalai Diplomacy, Indian Express, C. Raja Mohan, Nov 07, 2007)

The 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China re-elects Hu Jintao as general secretary and amends the party constitution. (The Chinese Dream, Frontline, P. S. SURYANARAYANA, Nov 07, 2007)

P.G. Rajendran; Mathrubhumi Books, MM Press, Cherooty Road, Kozhikode-673001. Rs. 60. (Tribal Folk Tales, Hindu, K. Kunhikrishnan, Nov 06, 2007)

Embarrassed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi’s poem mourning the death of LTTE leader Thamilselvan, the Congress on Monday sought to distance itself from the DMK chief’s action saying that the Congress does not “subscribe” to his views. (Cong Distances Itself From Karunanidhi’S Elegy On Ltte Leader, Indian Express, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 06, 2007)

There are four main aspects to the China-Tibet-India problem over the last century, some of which are only now becoming apparent. (China’S India Aggression, Statesman, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 05, 2007)

MANY years ago, when on assignment with the International Control Commission in Vietnam, one of the first sights that one witnessed in down town Saigon was that of a Buddhist monk protesting the State’s religious discrimination practiced . . . . . . (When Buddhists Are A Minority, Tribune, Maj Gen (retd) Himmat Singh Gill, Nov 05, 2007)

In the face of opposition from its coalition partner JD(S), the BJP on Sunday called off its indefinite dharna even as the former agreed to hand over a letter pledging “unconditional” support to the BJP for forming a Government in the state. (Bjp Gets Letter Of Support, Jds Gets Dharna Stopped, Indian Express, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 05, 2007)

The UPA government’s decision to bar its ministers and officials from attending a felicitation of the Dalai Lama in the Capital last week reinforces the growing perception that the Congress Party does not even pretend any more . . . . . . (Yielding To Beijing, Indian Express, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 05, 2007)

The Indian government has quietly told government ministers to stay away from a felicitation on Saturday of the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader and China’s thorn in the flesh, a news agency said on Friday. (Indian Ministers Told To Shun Dalai Lama Ceremony , Dawn, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 03, 2007)

I couldn’t resist that curiosity of beholding something taller than Mount Everest. Native Athabascan Indians call Mount McKinley ‘Denali’ or ‘The Great One’. Geologists claim that at 20,320 feet, this mountain has a vertical rise 6,000 feet more . . . . (Grizzly Encounters, Indian Express, Editorial, Indian Express, Nov 03, 2007)

The timing of Sonia Gandhi's visit to China is important. The UPA Government is facing the Left's opposition to the nuclear deal. And on the international front, China remains non-committal on the agreement, which needs IAEA's and NSG's approval (A Consequential Visit, Pioneer, Kalyani Shankar, Nov 02, 2007)

The latest Communist Party of China Congress saw Hu Jintao emerge for his second five-year term as a stronger leader. (Skirting The Border, Hindustan Times, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 02, 2007)

We, as a nation, do not realise that great questions of the day are not settled by speeches and slogans but by sound and solid action. (Nation Needs His Iron Will, Pioneer, Jagmohan , Oct 31, 2007)

First Lady Cristina Fernandez, in her first televised interview since winning Argentina’s presidency, wished Hillary Clinton well in her US election bid and thanked her husband for his role in her triumph at the polls. (Argentina President Thanks Husband, Wishes Hillary Luck, Indian Express, Correspondent or Reporter, Oct 31, 2007)

One lesson which India learnt from its experience of dealing with China before the Sino-Indian war of 1962 was the folly of treating Chinese transgressions as unintended. And there have been two recently. (Hu's China - Vii, OutLook, B. Raman , Oct 31, 2007)

Some well-meaning commentators have sought to portray the present, with China’s new emphasis on a harmonious society and a harmonious world, as being propitious for a reconciliation between Beijing and the Dalai Lama. (This Too Shall Pass, Telegraph, Editorial, The Telegraph, Oct 30, 2007)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper became the first Canadian premier to hold formal talks with the Dalai Lama when he met the Tibetan spiritual leader in his office, ignoring China's warning that it could affect Sino-Canadian relations. (Canadian Pm Meets Dalai Lama Despite Protest By China, Times of India, Correspondent or Reporter, Oct 30, 2007)

Integration into the global nuclear order has been a long-standing Indian demand. However, New Delhi is dropping out just at the moment when — following lengthy and arduous negotiations and activism — the prize is within its grasp. (Many Colours Of Imperialism, Times of India, SWAGATO GANGULY, Oct 30, 2007)