Chinese authorities in Beijing summoned Rao at around 2 am that night and formally protested against the incident. They expressed concern over the safety and security of their diplomatic staff and handed over a list of likely Tibetan protests in India ahead of the Olympics. Beijing, sources said, conveyed that it fears embarrassment when the Olympic torch passes India and hoped New Delhi would act on the list of protests.

For its part, India reassured China that its policy was consistent and there was no change in its policy on the Tibet issue and this assurance is learnt to have gone from the Prime Minister’s Office. Rao made it clear that India stands by its commitment to not let its territory be used for political demonstrations against China. She also conveyed that India accorded high priority to the safety and security of Chinese diplomatic personnel.

On the specific issue of the incident in the Chinese embassy, India sought to impress upon China that it has one of the largest premises among all embassies in Delhi spread across some 28 acres and it gets difficult to patrol all sides but the government is doing its best to ensure there is no let up.

The diplomatic heat last Friday came just days after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao appreciated steps taken by India to keep the protests under check local police here had detained some protestors.