India can face pressure from the world community

May 14: In the wake of the nuclear tests, Tibetans feel that India has the capability to face world pressure. Soon the Indian leadership w...

May 14: In the wake of the nuclear tests, Tibetans feel that India has the capability to face world pressure. 8220;Soon the Indian leadership will show its political will to find a solution to Tibet8217;s problem,8221; the Tibetans here hope.

Though elated over India8217;s 8220;strategic deterrence8221; approach by way of underground nuclear explosions at Pokhran, the Tibetan community says that India must see its nuclear weapon strength as a means of self defence only. 8220;India has given a clear signal to the world about its nuclear power, but it should not use the nuclear weapons for harming others for territorial or commercial gain,8221; comments a Tibetan woman, Dolma.

The Tibetan government-in-exile, which has not commented on the nuclear tests by India, has, however, called the tendency of few a nuclear powers to stop smaller nations from gaining nuclear strength as an 8220;unjust phenomenon.8221;

8220;The Tibetan government stands for world peace and total nuclear disarmament. But for a completely nuclear-free world, we have to have an equal approach. The few nuclear powers dictating their terms on other countries is not valid.

ll the bigger nations should first agree to dismantle their own nuclear weapons,8221; the spokesman of the government-in- exile Tempa Tsering says.He observed that countries like India have every right to safeguard themselves and look for their internal security with the nuclear threat looming large over them. 8220;The Dalai Lama and the Tibetans stand for freedom, peace and justice. We know India is a peaceful nation and will have a peaceful approach always,8221;he said.

DALAI LAMA8217;S VISIT:
Tibetan spiritual and temporal head, the Dalai Lama, has stressed the importance of good relations between the United States and China. In his address to the Wisconsin State Legislature in US yesterday, he said the basic policy of engagement with China was the best policy. 8220;However, this must be an active and responsible engagement,8221; he clarified.

The Dalai Lama said it was important to bring China into the mainstream. He said he had held this position even during the cold war, when many nations, including US, where refusing to recognise China.

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8220;I believe that the concept of containment is not only unrealistic, but also immoral,8221; he said, adding that at this time we must not label those who are calling for respect of human rights and establishment of rule of law in China as 8220;advocating a policy of isolating China.8221;

8220;In fact, these countries are making efforts to bring China closer to the international community,8221; he said.