Delhi Looking to Improve India-China Ties while Sidelining Dalai Lama & the Tibetan Cause

India-China Ties have been fragile as both nations have been trying to assert power. Border tensions, Trade, and the Tibetan Cause along with Delhi’s support for the Dalai Lama have been straining the India-China relations. Now, India has taken the initiative to enhance the India-China relations, but this news has not been taken very well by Tibetan community as the spiritual leader Dalai Lama faces the brunt of it. Has India abandoned the Tibetan cause and plans to sideline the Dalai Lama?

Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, has been isolated in his exile home after news of India working towards softening the border stand-off and bettering India-China ties started circulating. The two nations have been in a 73 days’ border face-off, with both sides asserting power and pressure at the Himalayas.

Also Read: Is China Against the Expansion of Indian Military Base in Seychelles?

Why Is India Taking a Step back and Cementing India-China ties?

Both nuclear powers have been asserting power at the Himalayas but India realises the extent of China’s growing military and economic power in the South of Asia. China’s BRI project will directly and positively impact India and its many neighbours, bringing transport and energy links for all.

PM Modi’s government has analysed China’s influence and understood that a face-off with China is in no way undermining the Asian giant’s power and progress. Thus, an initiative to bury the hatchet has been taken by the government of India. The aim is to accept differences and resolve disputes.

Also Read: Understanding the Burning Rohingya Issue and the Impact on India and China

The Tibetan Cause and Dalai Lama

In 1959 Dalai Lama made Dharamshala, India his home after fleeing a Chinese initiated crackdown in Tibet. Here his followers have been working towards bringing in autonomy for Tibet via peaceful measures. India has been supportive of Dalai Lama and his religious activities. However, a few weeks ago, India banned a Tibetan rally in the capital city that was to be led by Dalai Lama, marking 60 years of the uprising against China. The Dalai Lama also cancelled his visit to Sikkim so as to not offend the Chinese. India, however, continues to support Dalai Lama and his religious beliefs and activities.

Also Read on EurAsian Times: Is Indian Military Preparing for a War with China?

On the other hand, China believes that Dalai Lama is a separatist and his religious activities in the Indian subcontinent have always strained the India-China ties. While the Tibet-China relations continue to be strained, it is now affecting the India-China ties too.

India-China ties to Enhance

The recent events have shown that India-China ties are bettering over mutual opportunities for growth and development. In fact, the two nations are also working towards smoothening political ties. The two countries are also expected to stand against terrorism with counter-terrorism mock operations, that were earlier cancelled.

Other News at EurAsian Times