BRICS Summit: China appaluds India for curbing Tibetan protests

NEW DELHI: China has lavished praise on India for checking protest demonstrations by Tibetans during the BRICS summit, where Chinese president Hu Jintao participated.

At the same time, Beijing expressed regret over the death of a Tibetan youth who had immolated himself on the eve of Hu's visit. Hu's two-day visit had set off a wave of anti-China protests despite crackdown on Tibetans and heightened security.

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"The Chinese side appreciates the effective and concrete measures taken by the Government of India in overcoming disruptions and disturbances and in ensuring the safe and smooth holding of the summit meeting," director-general of the Department of Asian Affairs in Chinese government Luo Zhaohui said.

Luo, who was part of Hu's delegation, accused the Dalai Lama and the pro-Tibetan elements of trying to push "extreme and radical views by glorifying and instigating extreme behaviour. This is not consistent with teachings of Buddhism and it (the protests) is aimed at political purposes. We are strongly opposed to it,'' he said.

A group of Tibetans on Thursday unfurled a Tibetan flag near the Taj Palace, the venue of the summit. A day earlier, a group of Tibetans had attempted to storm Oberoi Hotel where Hu was staying.

Observing that India was committed to recognise Tibet as an inalienable part of China, he expressed regret over troubles created by the pro-Tibetan elements for the Indian government ahead of the summit.

"It is the commitment of the Indian government that it recognises the Tibetan Autonomous Region as an inalienable part of territory of the Republic of China and that India will never allow any people to use India to engage in so called pro-Tibetan activities. We are regretful that the so called pro-Tibetan elements have created trouble for government of India,'' Luo said.

Asked overall ties between the two countries, he said the relationship has been enjoying "a very sound momentum'' which is characterised by frequent political contacts at the highest levels, increasing people-to-people contacts, deepening two-way trade and cooperation on international issues.

On the border issue, he said the mechanism of meeting between the special representatives of the two governments have been progressing in a `smooth and successful' way as both the sides have been able to maintain peace and tranquility on the border.