Thaindian News

By Kavita Bajeli-Datt
Beijing, May 28 (IANS) China Friday raised the Tibet issue with visiting Indian President Pratibha Patil and sought reassurance from New Delhi that no anti-China activities are allowed to take place by Tibetans living in exile in India.

Senior Chinese leader Jia Quinglin, during his talks with Patil, raised the Tibet issue and sought a reassurance from India, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters here Friday.

Rao said: “All issues were raised and spoken about. And they have sought greater understanding. Jia sought, in the course of conversation, India’s position on the Tibet issue. He wanted India’s reassurance that on India’s soil no anti-Chinese activities are allowed to take place.”

“They wanted our reiteration and assurance on this point,” she said.

Rao said the outcome of President Patil’s meetings with the Chinese leaders over the last few days was “positive”.

“The president had the highest level of meetings and they have been fruitful and meaningful. Both sides clearly desired that the 60th year of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and China should be the starting point of further boosting their relationship.”

According to an official source, Beijing’s raking up the Tibet issue at the talks was “nothing unusual”.

“The Tibet issue is raised every time India and China talk. This is nothing unusual,” the source said.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has been living in India since fleeing Tibet in 1959. Over 150,000 Tibetans live outside Tibet, most of them in India. Their government in exile is also based in Dharamsala in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.