The Chinese are upset, once more, with the
Indian establishment. This time it's because the Dalai Lama is planning to
visit Tawang, in Arunachal Pradesh, and New Delhi is unlikely to stop him
from doing so. China, which lays claim on Arunachal Pradesh, wants India to
prevent the exiled Tibetan leader from entering the state. Just last year,
the Dalai Lama had to cancel his visit to the same area as the Indian administration
denied him permission, reportedly under pressure from China. But this time,
New Delhi is standing firm.
China has gone back on the guiding principles
the two countries agreed upon to sort territorial disputes by claiming not
just Tawang but the whole of Arunachal Pradesh. With an increasing number
of incursions by members of the People's Liberation Army along the Line of
Actual Control as well as Chinese attempts to block Asian Development Bank
funds for Arunachal Pradesh, Beijing has shown little sensitivity to New Delhi's
interests.
It's time, therefore, that New Delhi also
got more assertive about its position. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part
of India and it is India alone that can decide who is free to visit that state.
It is not Beijing's business to be dictating whether the Dalai Lama or for
that matter any other person it dislikes can or cannot travel within Indian
territory.
India has made it clear that the Dalai Lama
cannot conduct a political campaign within its territory. The Dalai Lama's
visit is supposed to be a religious one and as long as he sticks to that agenda,
there is no reason to restrict his travels. Keeping New Delhi on the diplomatic
hop by administering pinpricks may be part of Beijing's strategy. While Beijing
has settled its boundary disputes with most of its neighbours, India remains
the sole exception. Recently Taiwan approved a visit by the Dalai Lama over
Beijing's objections, even though its president Ma Ying-jeou is reputed to
be pro-Chinese. There's no reason for New Delhi to bend backwards to suit
the Chinese.
