Beijing, March 30
China today sought India's "understanding" and "support" on the Tibet issue as it tightened security on the eve of receiving the Olympic torch apprehending protests by the supporters of the Dalai Lama, whom it accused of trying to "sabotage" the games.
Chinese state councillor Dai Bingguo spoke to India's national security adviser M.K. Narayanan over phone and briefed him on the “violent crimes” in Lhasa. He “expounded” China's stance on and concerns over the Tibet issue.
“India will always stick to this position as it has been doing all along,” Narayanan was quoted as
having told Dai by the Xinhua news agency.
Narayanan wished a “complete success” for the Beijing Olympics.
China had summoned Indian ambassador Nirupama Rao to foreign office recently to convey concerns over storming of its embassy in New Delhi by a group of Tibetans and had ignored India while taking foreign diplomats to riots-hit Lhasa.
Beijing had also expressed fears about the safety of the Olympic torch, which was due to pass India, as Tibetans had threatened to disrupt the relay following the Chinese crackdown on the most vicious pro-independence protests in the two decades that erupted in Tibet and nearby areas on March 10, leaving at least 20 dead and 700 injured.
Additional police was deployed at the Tiananmen Square, the scene of a bloody 1989 crackdown against the pro-democracy activists, where the torch will be received after it arrives on board, a specially chartered Air China plane from Greece tomorrow. Details about the ceremony were not revealed citing security reasons.
— PTI
