Beijing, February 2
China today warned US President Barack Obama against meeting the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, saying this would "seriously undermine" Sino-US ties as a row escalated between the two major powers.

"A meeting between Obama and the Dalai Lama would seriously undermine the political foundation of Sino-US relations," Zhu Weiqun, Chinese Executive Vice-Minister for relations with Foreign Countries said. His comments come as the Tibetan spiritual leader is to undertake a 10-day visit to the US from February 16 during which he is likely to meet Obama.

The fresh objections by Beijing are likely to fuel more differences between the two countries, already at loggerheads over Chinese objections to US arms sale to Taiwan with Beijing threatening sanctions against American companies. Zhu said China and the representatives of the Dalai lama were sharply divided indicating that no progress had been made on the Tibetan issue in the latest round of talks which concluded on Sunday. Charging that Dalai Lama's frequent international visits were aimed at seeking foreign support, Zhu said he already plays a role of a trouble maker.

He asked the Tibetan spiritual leader to restrain his words and deeds against the central government, state-run news agency Xinhua quoted him as saying. Zhu was speaking at a press conference called to give details of the meeting between China and special envoys of the Dalai Lama. The warning to Obama comes amidst hints from US officials in recent weeks that the President would soon meet the exiled Tibetan leader. The Dalai Lama's visit will precede the US tour of Chinese President Hu Jintao, possibly in April. Though Obama officials have not indicated any dates for a meeting with the Dalai Lama, but a White House spokesman recently said: "President Obama has made it clear to the Chinese government that we intend to meet with the Dalai Lama. It has been his intention".

Making a reference to such a possibility, Zhu said: "If the US leader choses to meet the Dalai Lama at this time, it would certainly threaten trust and cooperation between China and the US." Elaborating on the meetings with the envoys of the Dalai Lama, the first in 15 months, Zhu said: "As in previous rounds of negotiation, the positions of the two sides are sharply divided." Zhu said China wanted to give the Dalai Lama a chance to correct his mistakes by holding talks with his envoys. He said during earlier negotiation the Dalai Lama's representative Lodi Gyari had presented a memorandum to say that Tibetans wanted to enjoy genuine autonomy. But this has been rejected by China.

However, the Chinese Vice-Minister indicated that the two sides had agreed to continue the talks. The Chinese Minister said the argument that the Dalai Lama was just a religious figure was wrong, and instead dubbed him as head of a "separatist group". — PTI

Washington, February 2
Taking note of India's "growing influence" in global affairs, the US has said the country will be a net provider of security in the Indian Ocean and beyond with the growth of its military capabilities.

"The distribution of global political, economic and military power is shifting and becoming more diffuse. The rise of China, the world's most populous country, and India, the world's largest democracy, will continue to reshape the international system," said the Quadrennial Defence Review (QDR) report released by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.

The once-in-four-year report, which shapes the policy of the Pentagon for the next four years, noted that while the US would remain the most powerful actor, it must increasingly cooperate with key allies and partners to build and sustain peace and security.

"Whether and how rising powers fully integrate into the global system will be among this century's defining questions, and are thus central to America's interests," it said.

As the economic power, cultural reach and political influence of India increase, it is assuming a more influential role in global affairs, the 128-page QDR report said.

On the other hand, the report expressed concerns over the lack of Chinese transparency over its military development. — PTI