India’s position on Tibet Unchanged

Dharamsala 13 April 2005: India has reiterated its ‘one China policy’ and once again recognised the Tibet Autonomous Region as part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China’. This was announced through a joint statement issued by the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday. India said that it would not allow Tibetans to engage in anti China political activities.

The Indian side recalled that India was among the first countries to recognise ‘one China’. The Indian side stated it would continue to abide by its ‘one China policy’ and the Chinese side appreciated the Indian position.

Both sides reviewed with satisfaction the implementation of the memorandum on the border trade through the Nathula Pass between the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Sikkim State of the Republic of India, the statement said.

India and China declared 2006 as the “year of India-China friendship”. The year 2005 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China.

Meanwhile, Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche welcomed the visit of the Chinese Premier saying that the improvement of relations between India and China is a positive indication for the resolution of the Tibet issue. Not withstanding the protests by Tibetans against the Chinese Premier’s visit, for the first time the Central Tibetan Administration has welcomed a visit of a Chinese leader.