Indo-Sino relations should be maintained : Tharoor

Kochi, Apr 11 (UNI) Reacting to the growing world-wide acrimony over the Tibetan issue, former UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor today cautioned India from taking a stand on Tibet, which would 'negatively impact' relations with China.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a function here, Mr Tharoor said '' Tibet was a longstanding issue and we had given asylum to Tibetan leaders in the past.'' The principles, values and rights of China and Tibet should be considered in the present free world society, Mr Tharoor noted.

'' China was a growing commerce partner for India as the volume of trade between the two countries was phenomenal and we can't afford to lose that,'' he noted.

When asked on the stand of some world leaders to boycott the opening ceremony of the coming Olympics Games, Mr Tharoor said '' it is their individual decisions to boycott the ceremony.'' Mr Tharoor, who is an avowed cricket fan, is working on a book on Indo-Pak cricket in a collaborative effort with former Pakistan cricket board chief Sharyar Khan.

'' The book is part of a series on Indo-Pak relations in various fields and the book on cricket will be half-written by me,'' he said.

Mr Tharoor, who is the Chairman of the Dubai-based Afras Limited, said the company was setting up a training facility in business communications at IT Park in Thiruvananthapuram, which would be inaugurated by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan on May 14.

UNI MA ROY AKJ VC1600