India raised Tibet issue with China, says India’s External Affairs Minister

By Lobsang Tenchoe

DHARAMSALA, July 29: India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said India raised the issue of Tibet with China in their bilateral meetings.

“India has not been sitting as a mute spectator, we raised the Tibet issue with China in bilateral meetings, whenever there are differences, we raise them,” a report by The Times of India quoted Sushma Swaraj as saying on Thursday while answering on the issue of China’s atrocities in Tibet in the Rajya Sabha.

The External Affairs Minister further told the Rajya Sabha members that there is no quid pro quo on the two issues, the other issue being India’s Northeast state, Arunachal Pradesh.

“We used to earlier talk of One China policy, but we used to say that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. And when we say that, we want that China should also recognise this. Our policy has been made very clear.” the Minister said.

Sushma Swaraj further confirmed that the Indian government has consented and facilitated Tawang visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama multiple times.

“Whatever issue that is there that goes against India’s interest, we lodge our protest,” Sushma Swaraj added.

Earlier this month, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party leader and Former Defense Minister of India, has urged the Indian government to reverse its stand on the Tibet issue and support Tibetan independence, reasoning that China, in collaboration with Pakistan, has made full preparations to attack the country.