Realism in Shangrila

The Dalai Lama has put substance to what he expects for Tibet in the future when he clearly expressed himself against independence from China even though, as he says, many Tibetans including his own brother, believe that such an approach amounts to selling out the right of Tibetans to independence. Given the phenomenal techno-economic growth of China in the past two decades, its capability to provide for a far better quality of life for Tibet8217;s people is only increasing. China has been giving greater attention to the development of its remote areas in the west and southwest over the past few years. Hence the Dalai Lama8217;s view that Tibet would benefit if it were part of that development process.

But, obviously, every Tibetan would want to see that such development is not achieved at the cost of Tibet8217;s unique culture and religion. Strong apprehensions have often been expressed across the world that the Han population influx has been altering Tibet8217;s demographic balance. The new 1,200-km long railway line from Golmud to Lhasa, an engineering marvel by itself, spanning the great plateau at altitude of 10-15,000 ft or so, would be ready in another three years. Opening up of Tibet to Chinese and foreign travellers and influences would inevitably have its impact, both positive and negative.

Beijing, therefore, would have to take special care to ensure that modernisation and development, besides the political goal of integration, help to strengthen the traditional culture and values in Tibet and are not at their cost. Part of that task also involves reconciliation with the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans outside Tibet. As a close neighbour with a long historical and cultural relationship across the borders, developments in Tibet would naturally remain of great interest and concern to us. India has been the home of the Dalai Lama now for 45 years. Most of the 150,000 Tibetans living in India have probably never seen their own homeland. This demands a policy of reconciliation. But does Beijing have the foresight and sensitivity to bring that about?