[Pledge x Petition] Recognising Tibet

Change the narrative !!!

Background:

Tibet is an issue that is not very often talked about in or by India. As Mr. Tsundue ruminates, before 1962, the narrative was ‘Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai’, and India did not want to take an anti-China stance by propagating the cause of Tibet. With the defeat to China in the 1962 war, fear started driving the Indo-China policy, however, the cause of Tibet remained untalked about.

China has been exploiting Tibet for its minerals and strategic location. Lithium and rare earth metal mines, which make China the world leader in technology manufacturing, all belong to Tibet.

China has a history of occupying the area of its neighboring countries. The map highlights how actual China is very small as compared to today’s mainland China. More than 60% of the current Chinese territory has actually been acquired through forceful occupation.

We need to change the narrative – we share the biggest border with Tibet. China is not even a neighbor!

To provide some context, China occupied Tibet is 2.5 million sq. km in area and India’s area is 3.3 million sq. km. India and Tibet are comparable in area and share the border with each other.

Why does this matter?

Tibet would be the 11th largest country by area, once it is freed! Currently, Tibet is not a part of China, but more like a Chinese colony.

The internal tensions between the Chinese people and the Tibetans are high. The two lands may be represented as one on the world map but function in isolation under the control of the Chinese government.

What do we expect from you?

Change the narrative – recognize what is Tibet, how we share our largest border with it, and educate children. Share the same with at least one other person you care about!

Why should you support it when it does not concern you?

The UN in its resolution 1514 had made its stance very clear on colonialism of this kind. As citizens of a country that had its own centuries-long struggle for independence, we need to recognize that Tibet is not a historic part of China but rather an annexed territory that deserves its freedom. The imperialistic Chinese government has been using force and power to quell all Tibetan revolutions internally.

Imperialism cannot be accepted in the 21st Century. Tibetans are human beings who have not been provided basic fundamental rights of taking their own decisions. The Chinese government decides the rules and regulations that are being imposed on Tibet. This is immoral in the democratic world.

Through this petition, we are not only asking for your support but also want to drive your attention to how India should have a stand in maintaining political relations with its neighbors. Still today, India has ‘Indo-Tibetan Border Police’, but ‘Indo-China’ in its policy.

India, being the country culturally closest to Tibet and having given refuge to Tibetans, can take up the cause of Tibet. This will change the dynamics within Asia and the world. Still today, this piece of information that India shares its borders with Tibet and not China is missing in the education system. India has tacitly supported Tibet but there is a need to take a firm stand.

What are the other advantages?

Tibetan freedom will also be a strategic and geopolitical boon for India. The current border disputes are dominated by Chinese force by virtue of its strategic advantage derived from its Tibetan posts.

Tibetan freedom will also, essentially, de-monopolize the lithium mining industry – a critical metal as we move towards sustainable energy sources!

India needs to recognize this fact of sharing a border with Tibet and not China and dismantle the expansionist One-China Policy and its global ambitions.

What are the drawbacks?

India has been playing diplomatically with China until the recent events that have asked to take firm steps. Support such a cause may look like promoting the anti-China sentiments while it is not. It may also look like India is now leveraging the heat of boycotting China to promote this cause. This is a step towards recognizing Tibet that has been neglected for a long.

Also, given the scenario and on-ground reality, does it really matter to think about such minor issues and not support the actual cause. Just think about it !!!

How will this help?

The petition is endorsed by Mr. Tenzin Tsundue, one of the leading figures in Tibet’s fight for freedom and is backed by Prof. Sandeep Pandey, a Magsaysay award winner, and nationally-renowned social activist. Every signature will help resonate the message of the Tibetans further and stronger through the country and the officials and help in the struggle for the rights of Tibetans.

Endorsed by:

1. Mr. Tenzin Tsundue, poet, writer, and leading Tibetan Activist

2. Prof. Sandeep Pandey, Ph.D., UC Berkeley; Visiting Faculty, IIM Ahmedabad, Social Activist, Ramon Magsaysay Award Winner

Petitioners:

1. Aman Rathi, IIT Delhi, IIM Ahmedabad

2. Ashutosh Rungta, IIT Roorkee, IIM Ahmedabad

3. Darpan Jain, SSCBS (DU), IIM Ahmedabad

Read More about the movement: Links to Tenzin's’ and other articles

1. Tenzin Tsundue - https://www.tenzintsundue.com/

2. APRAMEYA RAO. (2020, July). Independent Tibet is India’s best security against China: Activist Tenzin Tsundue. Deccan Chronicle. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/world/neighbours/100720/independent-tibet-is-indias-best-security-against-china-activist-ten.html

3. ‌IE Online. (2020, August 31). Tibet, a resource and a solution. The Indian Express; The Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/tibet-india-china-border-himalayas-galwan-valley-6577886/

4. India “fails” to see: Occupying Tibet, China controls geopolitics of 10 Asian countries. (2020, December 5). Counterview.net. https://www.counterview.net/2020/12/india-fails-to-see-occupying-tibet.html

Show your support:

If you feel that Tibetans should have the right to decide for themselves and support their struggle for freedom, take the pledge, sign the petition, and help them.

I recognize that Tibet identifies itself as an entity that is separate from China.