China seeks India's reassurance on Tibet issue

Beijing, May 28 (ANI): China once again sought India's reiteration on the 'contentious' Tibet issue that Indian soil will not be allowed to be used for anti-China protest.

On Friday, Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), during his meeting with visiting Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil sought this assurance.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said that the outcome of President Patil's visit has been very positive and both the sides have clearly stated their desire to take the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relationship between India and China, as starting point to further build their partnership.

"Now it often happens between course of interaction between India and China that all issues are raised and this, as you know, is a complex relationship and there are many issues on which the two sides have tried to elucidate each other's position and sought greater awareness of each other's concern," Ms. Rao said.

"And, it was in this context that issue of Tibet also came up during the President's meeting with Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Jia Qinglin. The issue came up during the course of conversation and Chinese side sought to know reiteration of our position that we see Tibet as part of China," she said.

Ms. Rao added the Indian President assured the Chinese leadership that: "We do not permit any anti-China activities by any Tibetans on the soil of India and it was what they (Chinese) wanted to be assured of."

The President cited the example of the passage of the Olympic torch through India ahead of the Beijing Olympics two years ago when the Indian government ensured that nothing untoward happens.

Earlier in the day, impressed by China's amazing achievements on many fronts, especially in the post-Cultural Revolution period (1966-1976), President Patil said there was enough space for both China and India to fulfill their development-related aspirations.

Patil is the first Indian head of state to visit China in a decade. K.R.Narayanan was the last Indian President to visit China in 2000. By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)