China seeks India’s support

Beijing: China on Sunday sought India’s “understanding” and “support” on the Tibet issue as it tightened security on the eve of receiving the Olympic torch, apprehending protests by the supporters of the Dalai Lama, whom it accused of trying to “sabotage” the Games.

Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo spoke to National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan over phone and briefed him on the “violent crimes” in Lhasa and “expounded” China’s stance on and concerns over the Tibet issue.

“India will always stick to this position as it has been doing all along,” Mr. Narayanan was quoted as having told Mr. Dai by the State-run Xinhua news agency. Mr. Narayanan wished a “complete success” of the Beijing Olympics. China had summoned Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao to Foreign Office recently to convey concerns over storming of its Embassy in New Delhi by a group of Tibetans and had ignored India while taking foreign diplomats to riots-hit Lhasa. — PTI