Describing the Tibet issue as an internal affair of China,India today said it was "willing to offer any help" to ease the recent spurt in tensions,striking a cautious note on the self immolations by Buddhist monks and the subsequent violence. External Affairs Minister S M Krishna,who held extensive talks with four senior Chinese leaders here today,told the media that the Tibetan issue had figured during the parley. "We did discuss the Tibet issue. It is India's position that the Tibetan Autonomous Region is part of the People's Republic of China,(PRC) as a result of that we are dealing with internal affairs of China," he said. "Hence,we have to be very cautious and are willing to provide any help that can ease tensions. But I do not think that situation will ever arise," he said. Krishna was replying to questions whether Chinese leaders have raised Beijing's concerns over recent incidents in Tibet. Elaborating on India's stand,officials said India was striking a cautious note on the Tibetan situation and want to reiterate that New Delhi was sticking to its previous stand that Tibet was a part of China. India also reportedly reiterated the stand that the Dalai Lama was an honoured guest and his activities were not political. Sixteen Buddhist monks attempted self immolation in recent months and two persons were killed in recent violent demonstrations in the Sichuan province,bordering Tibet. China yesterday blamed the Tibetan Youth Congress for the violence and self immolations and vowed to put down the violence. Krishna,who inaugurated the USD 10 million Indian Embassy here today began his day by meeting Zhou Yongkong,a senior politburo member of the ruling Communist Party of China,(CPC).
