India's Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee has warned the Dalai Lama against any political activity that damages India's relationship with China, the BBC reports. But he said that the Dalai Lama would continue to be welcome in India.
From the BBC News:
Speaking on Indian television, Mr Mukherjee said: "India will continue to offer him all hospitality, but during his stay in India, they should not do any political activity, any action that can adversely affect relations between India and China".
NDTV called this a "gentle warning." There have been no reports on what the consequences for the exiled leader would be if he were to neglect this "gentle warning."
India's TimesNow TV reports - Mukherjee further said that the Dalai Lama is allowed to preach religion in India and not practice politics. He apparently also criticized former Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes for calling China the "enemy number one."
And if India is feeling the Chinese heat, Nepal is melting already.
Nepali police continue to use force against Tibetan demonstrators in Kathmandu. The authorities are adopting a "zero tolerance" attitude to Tibetan demonstrations, the BBC reports, for the fear of annoying China.
I spoke to a friend in Nepal who said that some Chinese faces are seen commanding Nepali police asking them to arrest certain demonstrators. I tried to confirm this and found one article by the AFP in The Khaleej Times (Dubai) that mentioned China's deployment of security personnel in Nepal.
I called Kunda Dixit, editor of Kathmandu-based Nepali Times, who said that the police have been less brutal in the past couple of days after facing heavy criticism for using massive force against the protesters. He said they are not using the bamboo batons anymore. They are just shoving them with hands.
Mikel Dunham, author and photographer, has been blogging from Kathmandu about this unrest. Click here to read his blog. (Photo above: Mikel Dunham's blog)
Also, India's soccer captain Bhaichung Bhutia (a Sikkim native and a Buddhist by religion) has refused to carry the Olympic torch when it arrives in New Delhi later this month. Bhutia plays for Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, based in Kolkata.
What do you think of Mukherjee's warning? And the ongoing crackdown in Nepal? Please post below.
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