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CPI(M) for talks between China and the Dalai Lama

COIMBATORE: Agreeing with the India’s stand, which recognises Tibet as part of China as an autonomous region, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday favoured dialogue between China and representatives of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, for sorting out their differences on the issue.

“We want discussions between China and representatives of the Dalai Lama, provided it does not go outside the framework of an united China,” CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat told journalists on the third day of the 19th party Congress here.

He said the government had held right from the beginning that Tibet was part of China, upheld the one-China policy and never recognised Taiwan. “This stand has been reiterated by the Government of India and that is the correct position.”

Mr. Karat said certain western powers were under the impression that the national sovereignty of a country could be abridged and amended in the name of upholding human rights and rights for the minorities.

Citing Kosovo and Serbia, he said there were demands that Chechnya must be independent of Russia.

“In India also, we have problems of separatism. Those who want to join such chorus will do a great disservice to our nation. Are we going to support a free Nagaland or a free Jammu and Kashmir. A host of other such demands are being raised on the basis of ethnic and minority separatism. The CPI(M) does not support any such demand.” Mr. Karat blamed certain politicians in the country for toeing the line of western powers to break up sovereign nations.

“If there are legitimate grievances, a democratic solution must be found. The Vajpayee government had even declared that Tibet is an integral part of China. Now the BJP is attacking the government position, and the NDA convener has gone a step forward. Are we going to spoil India’s relations with China?” he asked.

While discussing the draft political resolution during the day, the Tibet issue was referred to by several speakers. They pointed out that the issue was being used for anti-China propaganda and efforts were on to spoil relations between India and China.

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