China has to back down this time: Tibetans in India

NEW DELHI: Tibetans in India are euphoric over what is happening and some believe that this time around the Chinese have to back down. The international community is with them. They are planning to make sure that the relay of the Olympic flame through Delhi is disrupted.

Tibetans have already appealed to Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, scheduled to carry the Olympic torch at one stretch to boycott the event. The actor is the brand ambassador for Coca-Cola and the sponsors of the Olympics get to choose the runners. The names have to be approved by the government.

An Indian official said on condition of anonymity. “The games are important to China but Beijing will not tolerate any foreign powers dictating its Tibet policy.’’

China’s ambassador to India Zhang Yan met home minister Shivraj Patil on Thursday to request him to ensure that the Olympic flame relay in New Delhi is smooth. Following the breach of security by Tibetan protesters last Friday, the Chinese are worried.

The home minister assured him that all necessary security measurers would be in place. Indian officials are playing down the summoning of ambassador Nirupama Rao in the middle of the night by foreign ministry officials in Beijing to express concern about Tibetan protesters entering the mission.

Meanwhile, commerce minister Kamal Nath scheduled visit to Beijing next week has been postponed, but he has emphasised it was not a diplomatic message. Minister for tourism Ambika Soni will be going to Beijing on April 6 to inaugurate the India tourist office in Beijing.