News Highlights
On a public visit to Dharamshala, U.S. Special Coordinator on Tibet Uzra Zeya met with Penpa Tsering, the ‘Sikyong’ or leader of the self-styled Central Tibetan Administration, and other officials and representatives of the Tibetan community (Himachal Pradesh).
Significance of Visit
- Because the visit was organized by New Delhi, it is being perceived as a strong message from the Indian government to China, which is protesting what it deems “meddling” in Tibet.
Where is Tibet ?
- The Tibet Autonomous Entity (TAR) is a province-level autonomous region in Southwest China of the People’s Republic of China. The traditional Tibetan regions of Ü-Tsang and Kham were overlaid with it.
- Borders of Tibet
- Northeast by the Chinese provinces of Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan
- East by Myanmar (Burma), India, Bhutan, and Nepal
- South by the disputed Kashmir area
- Northwest by the Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang.
Connector to British India History
- Tibet was India’s actual neighbour for millennia, as most of India’s borders and the 3500km LAC are shared with the Tibetan Autonomous Region rather than the rest of China.
- Tibetan representatives, together with Chinese representatives, signed the Simla convention with British India in 1914, delineating boundaries.
Chinese Accession of Tibet
- Tibet, according to the People’s Republic of China, has been a part of China since the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty.
- Tibet’s authorities were compelled to accept a treaty imposed by China in 1951.
- The “Seventeen Point Agreement” promises Tibetan autonomy and respect for the Buddhist religion, but it also authorises Chinese civil and military headquarters to be established in Lhasa (Tibet’s capital).
- The Tibetan people, including the Dalai Lama, believe it is invalid and that it was signed under duress.
- Tibetans have called this a cultural genocide on numerous occasions.
Initial Indian Policy Towards Tibet
- China rejected the convention and the McMahon line that separated the two countries after China’s full accession of Tibet in 1950.
- In addition, in 1954, India and China agreed to acknowledge Tibet as the “Tibet area of China.”
- Following the Tibetan uprising in 1959, the Dalai Lama (Tibetan spiritual leader) and many of his followers fled to India.
- Former Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru provided him with shelter and assisted in the establishment of the Tibetan government in exile.
- The Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader, according to Indian policy, and the Tibetan population in India, which numbers over a lakh exiles, is not allowed to engage in political activities.
Shift in Indian Policy
- In the wake of rising tensions between India and China, India’s Tibet policy has shifted which shows India’s symbolic attitudes towards both parties.
Challenges Face by India to Deal Tibetan
- China Side
- Divide in opinion among tibetans
- As time passed the Chinese influence over tibetan has caused lack of unity among Tibetans and Chinese have used theTibetan youth militia for fighting after the Galwan clash.
- Change in Demographic Composition
- China has been encouraging people from mainland China to go to Tibet for decades.
- Divide in opinion among tibetans
- Indian Side
- Exile Tibetans Issue
- Even though India allowed Tibetan to settle in India , they didn’t get citizenship in 1987.
- Exile Tibetans Issue
Way Forward
- Global Scenario
- India should raise the Tibetan issue and human right violation in global bodies like the United Nations..
- Ensure support for Tibetan refugees in other countries.
- Within India
- India should ensure proper facilities for Tibetan people in India like citizenship and job opportunities.
Content Source : Indian Express