The UPA government will not allow Tibetan religious and spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to indulge in anti-China political activities from the Indian soil, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee assured his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

During a telephonic conversation on Wednesday, Mukherjee also reiterated to Yang Jiechi that the Tibetan autonomous region was “part of the Chinese territory. Yang briefed Mukherjee on the latest situation in Tibet and appreciated the Indian position.

Beijing has been anxious about Dalai Lama’s recent statements in India and accused him of fomenting fresh trouble in Tibet. The Chinese leadership has also made known its apprehensions to the Indian leadership several times since the latest trouble broke out in Lhasa in early March. It appeared that the Chinese side was satisfied with the security cordon thrown around the Chinese Embassy premise in the capital in the wake of the trespassing by some protesting Tibetan activists on March 21.

“The Chinese government appreciates the steps taken by the Indian side to ensure safety and security of Chinese diplomatic and consular establishments and Chinese citizens in India,” a statement issued by the external affairs ministry on the Mukherjee-Yang conversation said.

Mukherjee also told Yang that the Indian government had taken all necessary steps to ensure the success of the passage of the Olympic Torch in Delhi on April 17. 

Conciliatory note

Just around the time the two ministers were on telephone, Chinese Ambassador here, Zhang Yan, sent out a conciliatory note on the treatment meted out to Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao past midnight on March 21 in Beijing.

Though Delhi was very displeased with the way Rao was treated, it never made it known publicly. Zhang claimed before newsmen on Wednesday that the version that appeared about the Rao incident in the Indian media was not correct.

The Chinese Ambassador also drew a rosy scenario on the India - China bilateral ties’ front. Though differences remained unresolved on some issues (without specifically naming the boundary dispute), he said the relations otherwise were on a fast-track.

In particular, he said bilateral trade was growing at a phenomenal rate. The trade turnover which had reached US $ 38.7 billion last year has registered a 50 per cent jump in the first month of 2008 as compared to the figures for January last year. Meanwhile, Dalai Lama, who is scheduled to visit United States next week, has stepped up offensive against Beijing. In a statement issued here, the Tibetan spiritual leader has urged the UN and international community extend continued support to the non-violent struggle of Tibetan people against Chinese crackdown in Tibet.