At the 6th International Rangzen Independence Conference held at the India International Center (IIC) in New Delhi, former Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane underscored the Tibetans’ struggle for independence from China. He said the Tibetans have a right to return to the land of their forefathers and experience their culture and traditions.
Some prominent members who attended the conference included Geshe Lharampa Bawa Lobsang Pende, a representative of the Tibet Parliament in exile, and Umit Hamit, a noted Uyghur freedom fighter.
General Naravane on Tibet
The former Army Chief said that there are 60 lakh Tibetans in Tibet while 1,40,000 are in exile, of which 100,000 are in India, which is an exceptional pool of latent power which needs to be harnessed.
He added, “It is a historical fact that Tibet has been and is the rightful neighbour of India, and the common border was open and peaceful, allowing not only the free movement of people and trade but also the finest thoughts of human civilization.”
The former Army Chief said that the principled Panchsheel Agreement was a treaty of five principles of co-existence signed by India and the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) in 1954. Especially the non-mutual interference clause has resulted in an ambivalent policy over the Chinese occupation of Tibet. “Over the decades, China made territorial and administrative changes that would transform Tibetan identity and culture,” he said.
He went on to say that the latest white paper released by China claims that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times, from the 7th Century AD onwards, which itself is an “incorrect and an attempt to re-write history.”
Solution
He suggested a two-pronged approach which is vertical integration and horizontal stretch, that should be taken to advance the Tibetan cause. Explaining the approach of vertical integration, he said that it would entail elevating these issues globally through multiple platforms, including the United Nations, by engaging thought leaders and think tanks.
The horizontal stretch, he said, will involve uniting people worldwide to sustain the momentum of the movement “This approach should focus on creating a collective voice across the borders, ensuring that the Rangzen Movement remains dynamic and impactful.”
Taking on China several times during the lecture, he compared the Chinese approach with that of India. He said, “Even though China has grown in strength, strength comes with its vulnerabilities. China operates with the centricity of coercion and fear, whereas India with centricity of cooperation and trust.
Chinese Irredentism
He added that China and its irredentism have been focused on Tibet, Taiwan, Xinjiang and even Mongolia. “It is always wise to recognize China’s grey zone actions, which involve kinetic and non-kinetic forms of assertiveness by resorting to selective historical referencing and cartographic manipulation and lawfare by leveraging its cyber and information domain capabilities.”
India-China Border Village Conundrum
Speaking of the raising of villages in the disputed territory of China, General Naravane asserted the construction of Xiaokang (moderately prosperous) villages in disputed territories, the announcement of the Land Border Law and coercive exploitation underscores the urgency through examinations and robust response.
He suggested that to effectively counter this development, a coordinated approach involving diplomatic, legal, and international mechanisms is necessary. He went on to say that major powers of the World appear willing to take on China.
Role of India in Tackling China
India, today has emerged as a significant player on the global stage and will resolutely oppose Chinese attempts to unilaterally change in status quo. India has intensified efforts to develop border infrastructure and rebalanced its military to thwart the nefarious Chinese designs,” he said.
The 2008 protests before the Beijing Olympics exposed the Chinese propaganda of projecting a false image of prosperity and freedom in Tibet, said General Naravane. It brought to the fore the courage and determination of Tibetans, and this indicates the latent power of the people of Tibet.
He added that the Chinese propaganda of development lay exposed, and the truth of the repression was apparent. These protests conveyed to the world that the Tibet Issue was alive even after decades of Chinese repression. The army chief also highlighted the ecological importance as it acts as a buffer to ecological security.
