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Tibet: India expresses distress, urges dialogue

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday expressed distress at the deaths in the unrest in Lhasa but pointed out that Tibet was part of China, distancing itself from demands for independence being made by Tibetans.

This is the second time India has expressed its views on the unrest in Tibet.

In a statement earlier this week, India had said it would not allow any anti-Chinese activity on its territory.

To a question on the recent developments in Lhasa, the Foreign Office said: “We are distressed by reports of the unsettled situation and violence in Lhasa, and by the deaths of innocent people. We would hope that all those involved will work to improve the situation and remove the causes of such trouble in Tibet, which is an autonomous region of China, through dialogue and non-violent means.”

India had earlier stated that its law and order machinery was competent to deal with any protests on its soil. In response to the threats by Tibetans based at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh to cross the border, New Delhi said any person, irrespective of nationality, would be dealt with firmly if found without valid travel documents.

‘Watching the situation’

PTI reports:

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on the sidelines of a conference in Chandigarh that India was “watching the situation.” As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was out of New Delhi on Friday, the issue could not be discussed, Mr. Mukherjee said.

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