No third ways

For all of last week, more than five hundred Tibetan leaders in exile debated issues that define their political identity. In a year when China showed its clout by having the Olympic torch run around the world stay mostly untouched by Tibetan protests and cracking down on the uprising in Lhasa, there had been palpable a strong current of unease amongst exiled leaders. The question they have confronted all this year is whether they need to be less conciliatory in seeking negotiations with China for 8220;meaningful autonomy8221; for Tibet. In fact, whether they should abandon the quest for autonomy and begin a movement for outright independence. In other words, whether they should dump the Dalai Lama8217;s longstanding 8212; and globally applauded 8212; 8220;middle path8221;.

In the end, the Dharamsala meet affirmed adherence to the Dalai Lama8217;s way, in non-violent methods and in aiming for autonomy for Tibet, not independence from China. They channelled their frustration with China by saying the talks should be suspended till Beijing shows more goodwill in taking the negotiations forward. This is reassuring. The Dalai Lama, for his part, said later that he was not thinking of retirement. He is 73, and recent ailments had set off rumours that he may opt for a less hectic public schedule.

The Dalai Lama8217;s great success has been to make his movement as diplomatically non-threatening as possible for, primarily, his host country, India, and for major Western powers that weigh in for the cause of provincial autonomy for Tibet. By counselling non-violence to his supporters and by not undermining the territorial integrity of China, he has kept his interactions with global leaders and governments civil and undemanding. He has this way, too, kept his supporters8217; demands salient. Good they have recognised this after a week of introspection.