Tibetan leader to India: make Tibet 'core' issue

[Vehl]

The newly elected head of Tibet's government-in-exile, Dr Lobsang Sangay, has appealed to the Indian government to make Tibet "a core issue" in relations with China.

The call comes after Tibetan exiles elected Sangay as their new prime minister last month, following the Dalai Lama's announcement that he would retire as the movement's political leader."I appeal to the Indian politicians and Indian government -- do consider Tibet as a core issue between India and China and accordingly please act on it," Sangay said in a television interview aired on Saturday.

He also warned that India was being encircled by China as Beijing strengthens its South Asia presence, building stronger relations with Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. "You can see the encirclement of India by China interests," the 43-year-old international law expert told India's NDTV station. "So I just want to remind or highlight these facts, let Indian leaders decide for themselves what to do." Sangay's statements coincide with Indian perceptions that China is taking a tougher line on its border claims, which have led New Delhi to beef up its military presence along its frontier with thousands of extra combat troops.

more here
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110521/wl_sthasia_afp/tibetchinaindiapoliticsdiplomacy_20110521152809

His video Interview
http://youtu.be/U5jbTS1SlKg

Some info on the First elected Tibetan PM

Harvard academic elected exiled Tibetan PM
http://youtu.be/iBLmjUcGSvY

^^ I have to say, that the Tibetans elected a very good leader. He is articulate and uncompromising in the core issues. Just the kind of leader Tibet needs. I just love the way he responds to China's claim that they will appoint the next Dalai Lama.

His call for India to make the Tibet issue a core one in any future indo-Chinese interactions is a good one. I really hope the Indian government heeds his advice. Chances are that they would, even though they might not make it clear in the near future; as its an open secret that India supports the eventual independence of Tibet.

I hope to see a free Tibet one day! Imho its the duty of all democratic peoples to ensure that the Tibetans get their homeland back.

[xchrom]

1. free tibet. nt