Welcoming Chinese Step in Current Tibet Crisis

The decision of the Government of the People’s Republic of China to invite representatives of the Dalai Lama to start the process of dialogue with them in the course of current unrest in Tibet in which demands of protection of cultural heritage and identity of the region and restoration of political freedom of the Tibetans are nucleolus, and in which according to the Spokesman of the Tibetan Government-in-exile two hundred three sons of the soil have lost their lives is without a doubt a welcoming step.

In the same manner the Dalai Lama’s positive response to the invitation and sending his two representatives to Beijing for the purpose is also a welcoming step.

According to a statement issued on Friday, the 2nd May, 2008, from Dharamshala, [India], by Chhime R. Chhoekyapa, the Official Spokesman of the Tibetan Government-in-exile, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s special envoy Lodi Gyaltsen and envoy Keland Gyaltsen will arrive in China on May 3rd for informal talks with representatives of Chinese leadership; [they] during their brief visit will take up the urgent issue of the current crisis in Tibetan areas. They will convey the Dalai Lama’s deep concern about the Chinese authorities’ handling of situation and provide suggestions to bring peace in the region.”

For the last six decades Tibetans, who are peaceful by nature, are fighting for the existence of their cultural identity and political rights with such a mighty nation of the world which wears the mask of Communism and which believes in expansionism. Therefore, Tibetans are eagerly wishing of some positive and concrete result. But, what is the intention of Beijing behind starting this dialogue nothing can be said with certainty at this juncture. Even then, the process of dialogue, which definitely is the first step towards resolving any small or big problem or dispute, started by the People’s Republic of China for the fist time officially with the Tibetan Government-in-exile, should go to the right direction; and through this dialogue of first round both the parties should reach at some mutually acceptable conclusion as Chhime R. Chhoekyapa himself has hoped in his statement by saying further, “Since the Chinese leadership has indicated publicly and in briefings given to foreign governments its position on the continuation of talks, the envoys will raise the matter of moving forward on the process for a mutually satisfactory solution to the Tibet issue [ultimately].”

In case this process of dialogue goes ahead in right direction, definitely it will bring good results. Through it years’ old wounds of Tibetans will be cured; Chinese reputation in the international community will increase, and ultimately the proverb, “what is long in coming will come right” will prove to be correct.

Dr. Ravindra Kumar is a renowned Gandhian scholar, Indologist and writer. He is the Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Meerut [India], and the Editor-in-Chief of Global Peace International Journal.

© Scoop Media