Against the backdrop of series of self-immolations in Tibet, in particular three in just this month of January, Dai Bingguo chooses to visit India to discuss a border issue, which was never his to discuss. China’s State Councillor Dai Bingguo’s two-day visit to New Delhi to attend the 15th meeting of special representatives to discuss “Sino-India border” issue is illegal and insensitive.
Both countries are well aware of the fact that any territorial talks is inextricably linked to the issue of Tibet. Until China’s forceful invasion of Tibet in 1949, India shared its northern border with Tibet and not China. It was an independent Tibet, which signed an agreement in 1914 demarcating the line between India and Tibet. China has nothing to do with it and has no legitimate right to claim ownership. Therefore, these talks can bear no concrete or long-term resolution as long as the issue of Tibet is not included in the agenda for discussion. The two countries cannot continue to ignore the elephant in the room and rewrite history.
This year marks fifty years since the 1962 Sino-Indian war. Half a century in a nation’s history is not long enough to forget the betrayal, humiliation and the corrosion of trust it supposedly built following the Panchsheel Agreement of 1954. Therefore, Dai Bingguo’s pronouncement of lofty words such as friendship, cooperation and peaceful development etc. should only be taken with a pinch of salt because while these words reverberate in the corridors of Hyderabad House, China’s active encirclement of the “string of pearls” is becoming more visible.
The Tibetan Youth Congress, which is the largest Tibetan non-governmental organisation has consistently reiterated its position for an independent Tibet devoid of China’s intrusion. It opposes and condemns China’s continued attempts to undermine Tibet’s historical position in this region by distorting facts and forging new relationship on lies and deceit. TYC believes that it has a significant political role and responsibility to speak on behalf of Tibetans all over the world and express its’ condemnation on any talks related to Tibet’s border and resist history to be rewritten.
Memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister of India
17th January 2012
To,
His Excellency,
The Prime Minister,
Republic of India.
New Delhi.
Subject: Memorandum expressing our apprehensions on the “Sino – India border” talks.
Your Excellency,
Exactly five years ago on this day, we the members of Tibetan Youth Congress submitted a similar memorandum to your office when China’s State Councillor, Dai Bingguo made a two-day visit on 17-18 January 2007. At the time, we had expressed our apprehensions and displeasure at the proposed “Sino-Indo border” talks. Today is no different.
While we are sincerely appreciative and grateful towards the government of India and its people for allowing thousands of Tibetans to settle and make India our second home and – for most young Tibetans the only home they are familiar with – we remain resolute in our conviction and goals to return to an independent Tibet one day. And in striving to fulfill those goals, we remain vigilant on anything that concerns the fate of our country.
Today marks the 15th meeting of special representatives to discuss “Sino-Indo border” and we are extremely apprehensive about the conduct of such a meeting as it concerns the borders of Tibet and not China. We believe that a fifth wheel has no legitimate right to drive the course of fates of six million Tibetans. China’s claims to these borders stem only from its forceful occupation of Tibet in 1949 and therefore cannot dictate terms and conditions or hold talks relating to Tibet’s border and worse still attempt to rewrite history.
The Tibetan people have been waging an unrelenting struggle for independence both inside and outside of Tibet. Just in this month alone, three cases of self-immolations took place bringing the total number to 15 acts since March 2011 and 16 since 2009. Most of them expressed their desire to see the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and called for independence for Tibet. Majority of them were in their early 20’s.
Recognizing the aspirations of the Tibetan people both inside and outside Tibet for independence, particularly the monks and nuns who engaged in acts of self-immolations as a direct non-violent action, we in exile, in particular the Tibetan Youth Congress remain not only watchful but also critical of any talks that concern the future of our country. And it is with this emotion, that we present this memorandum to you and appeal the Government of India to review its’ China policy and support calls for an independent Tibet which would create a lasting stable and secure environment not just for India but in the entire region.
The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), which is the largest and the oldest non-governmental organization in exile implore the government of India to be sensitive and not engage in any dealings that would distort any historical facts and crush the aspirations of the millions of Tibetans.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely
