It goes without saying that India must seek friendly and cooperative ties with China. However, we must beware of those who believe that friendly ties with our northern neighbour are possible only by keeping quiet over all its acts of bullying — be it the question of its repression in Tibet or its frequent upping of ante in Arunachal Pradesh.

China has every reason to feel proud of showcasing its greatness during the forthcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. But it too must know that its greatness is sullied by its unacceptable behavior in Tibet. India should work with the rest of the world community in urging the Chinese authorities to open meaningful talks with the Dalai Lama. The latter, on his part, has repeatedly stated that he is not seeking Tibet’s secession from China. Now it is China’s responsibility to ensure, by working constructively with His Holiness, that Tibetans can live with honour, dignity and genuine autonomy in their ancestral homeland.