NEW DELHI: Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch, a national Tibet support group based in New Delhi, in collaboration with Atal Bihari Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal organized a seminar titled “India’s China Policy and the Question of Tibet” at Shaheed Bhawan, Bhopal on Sunday, 27 July 2014.

The seminar was attended by more than 150 participants from all parts of Madhya Pradesh. The Tibet awareness campaign is to call upon the Government and People of India to bring a realistic approach in finding a peaceful solution to the issue of Tibet.

Dr. K. C. Agnihothri, President of Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch was invited as Chief Guest to address the gathering. He said that it’s now almost 15 years since the establishment of this organization which was first formed in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh on May 5, 1999.  He talked on India and Tibet’s long-standing historical relationship. Tibet shares a boundary with India prior to Chinese occupation in 1959. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet considered India as a guru (Teacher) and Tibet as a Chela (Student).

He also pointed out that Kailash Mansarovar, the home of Lord Shiva is situated in Tibet. The Tibetan name Wangchuk is synonym to Shiva, likewise Tara is known as Dolma for Tibetans.

He even stated that, it is India which recognized Tibet as part of China in 1954 during infamous “Panchsheel Agreement”, which resulted in direct Chinese aggression against India in 1962. Henceforth the Government of India needs to revive the stand on Tibet while dealing with China. As such it is in India’s own interest to resolve the issue of Tibet.

Shri Sonam Tenzing, who represented the Central Tibetan Administration spoke on various aspects of the Tibetan cause. He said that CTA adopted a Middle Way policy which seeks genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people. He further stated that the Panchsheel agreement of 1954 between India and China recognised Tibet as a part of China. This has also led to Chinese aggression against India in 1962.

He also raised the question of concern on the issue Tibet in India’s China policy which is hereunder: 1) To resume the dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and CTA for early resolution of Tibetan issue. 2) Raising the issue of Tibet in the Indian Parliament and help intensify diplomatic and international pressure on the Chinese government and 3) To make Tibetan issue a priority in India-China relationship by the Government of India.

Shri Mahesh Chadda, National General Secretary, spoke on activities and campaign carried out by Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch in India. This year the manch will convene a Tawang Yatra in November to express solidarity and support with Tibet and the Tibetan people.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Jagdish Joshi, convener, Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch.

India Tibet Coordination Office distributed Hindi books on Tibet to the participants.

Report filed by: India Tibet Co-ordination Office (ITCO), Delhi