Tibet

China-India Skirmishes: Hidden Warfare Of India Using Tibetan And Nepali Personal

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Dhakal Bidhur In the wake of the escalating Indo-China border dispute, India has started mobilizing the Tibetan community along the border. The Special Frontier Force (SFF) has been deployed along the Tibetan community in India. The force, which has been operating as a covert, has come out openly this time. After rising tensions between India and China over the past five months, the Indian Army had announced it had ‘thwarted Chinese intentions to alter the ground situation’. The announcement has silently opened the involvement of SFF, in the operation south of Pangong Tso. With the involvement of the SFF, known as the Development Regiment and directly under the Director General of the Indian intelligence agency ‘RAW’, its role is also emerging. Not only that, the covert force this time has come into the ground. In the second week of September, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ram Madhav attended the funeral of SFF personal Nyima Tenzin. The 2020 China-India Skirmishes, ongoing military standoff; both the troops have engaged in aggressive moves in Sino-Indian Border  including near the disputed Pangong Lake in Ladakh and Tibet Autonomous Region. Started from May this year; Chinese forces agitated to the construction of road in Galwan River Valley by Indian side. In June 15, deadly clashes between two forces resulted the death of 20 Indian soldiers. In July 25, emerges of disengagement at Galwan, Hot Spring and Gogra. Indian Army deployed more forces to the area. Though the talk between Beijing and Delhi in Moscow conclude with 5 points agreement stating that both side shall abide by all the existing agreements and protocol on China-India boundary affairs, maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas and avoid any action that could escalate matters. But still the tension is still escalating. At the end of August, fired opened between once. In the operation of August 29-31, the involvement of SFF has been reported. India has occupied previously unoccupied heights in Chushul sector in eastern Ladakh. Indian Army has so far maintained an official silent, but the death of SFF’s Nyima has opened the secrets of SFF involvement. However, Yeshi Tenzin, father of injured SFF’s personal Tenzin Londen has told the Indian Express that his son along with his unit was involved in an operation to occupy a hill, Black top, near the south bank of Pangong Tso. This is the first time the SFF, a secretive force, has been in public eye. Although the Indian Army has not officially commented on the deaths, the presence of BJP leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s close aid Ram Madhav in the funeral of Nyima has exposed the SFF’s presence in the Indo-China dispute. It is said that Nyima had caught on a landmine in rested from 1962. After his death, huge crowd in present BJP leader had paid the honor to Nyima in Leh, Ladakh, Chanting slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Tibet Zindabad, Vikas Regiment Zindabad shows that SFF involvements in 2020 India-China Skirmishes.   The rally played a role in stirring up anti-China sentiment by influencing the Tibetan community. Ram Madhav had reached Leh for the same purpose. Earlier, no such farewell was said in the death of any SFF soldiers, nor was the general public aware of the SFF’s presence. Why was it brought out this time? Amid the border tensions, India sends strong message to China by giving fallen Tibetan soldier full military honors.  SFF men have been told to fight for Tibet rather than for India. ‘Until now we were anonymous soldiers. But now people know us. We are proud that he sacrificed his life for his motherland, Tibet,’ the Indian media quoted a soldier as saying. The incident has sent a clear message to Beijing from Delhi it will not stop playing ‘Tibet Card’. The image of Nyima’s coffin, which is covered by Indian flag and snow lion flag which is adopted by the Tibetan refugee community, is going viral on social media among the Tibetan community. Using the Tibetan community against China, India has called on it to fight its ‘real enemy’ (China). Until now, India had not openly deployed the SFF on the front line against China. What is SFF? The Special Frontier Force (SFF), which is made up of the Tibetan community, is stationed at the border. The Indian Special Forces, formed after the Sino-Indian war on November 14, 1962, had initially been conducting covert operations on the Indo-China border. Now the force has a mixture of Tibetan and Gorkhas, (i.e. Nepali) Since then, the force has been involved in the Indo-Pak war and the Bangladesh independent War. The SFF, which has been a part of Operation Blue Star, Kargil war, also had acted as Indira Gandhi’s personal force after the state of emergency. Headquartered in Uttarakhand, the force is not the part of Indian Army but function under its operational control. It was initially placed under the Intelligence Bureau of India (IB). Later, India’s external intelligence mechanism was placed under the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). However, it has its own status and organizational structure and training structure. It is directly under the Directorate General of Security Affairs of the Cabinet. Force is led by the Inspector General (IG) who is selected from the Major General level of the Indian Army who reports directly to the Prime Minister’s Office. Initially made up of Tibetan refugees, the development battalion later became the Special Frontier Force. The organization was formed with 5,000 youths from the Khampa community in exile in India along with the Dalai Lama from Tibet. For that, the Indians had recruited the youth from the guerrilla group fighting with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) also helped form the group. The SFF had shut down most of its operations in China, in line with Deng Xiaoping’s open economy policy. Since then, the SFF has fought the Indo-Pakistani war with the Indian Army. The SFF had fought a war against Pakistan in favor of Bangladesh in the Bangladesh Independence Campaign. Along with Tibetans,

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CTA Election, Mounting American Persuade And Impact On Nepal-China Relation

Leave a Comment / Article, Indo-Nepal, Sino-Nepal, Uncategorized /

Dhakal Bidhur On Sunday, Tibetan refugees are voting to elect the leadership of their government. The final phase of the election, to be held on April 11 in Dharamshala and other cities around the world will elect the next Sikyong (President). The final two candidates with the slogan of ‘Independent Tibet’ are in the contest. The government of Tibetan exile, known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), has meanwhile been waging anti-China activities in favor of an independent Tibet. This year, Lobsang Sangay has completed his second term. Meanwhile, the US has implemented the Tibet Policy and Support Act (TPSA) in line with its strategy of encompassing China. The United States is helping the Tibetan community through an act issued by the United States amid opposition from China. As of December 22, 2020, more than 80,000 voters around the world have registered to vote. Of these, more than 55,000 are in India alone. Big pooling is going to be held in Dharamshala ; the capital of the CTA. Forty-five members will be elected for the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE). Disputes are growing among the Tibetan community over the election of a new Sikyong. Initially, eight candidates appeared in the election race, but in the final competition, two have been selected. Candidates have been campaigning on social media. Penpa Tsering and Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang are currently vying for the post of head of Tibet’s exiled government. Tsering was also contesting in 2016. He is a former envoy of the Dalai Lama to Washington DC. Dorsi is also the Dalai Lama’s representative for North America. Former Deputy Speaker Dolma Giari has dropped out of the competition. Although she has served as home minister in Tibet’s government-in-exile, it is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. On the other hand, discussions have started among the Tibetan community regarding Dolma’s exit. In Dolma, two men have even started analyzing the politics of Khampa. Those contesting the election have given slogans of unity, education, and patriotism. On the other hand, the current heads of government have been accused of failing to facilitate dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese Communist Party. Mounting American Persuade The United States has been attacking China over Tibet. In this case, he is expanding his influence. Diplomatic tensions between China and the United States escalated as the world struggled against COVID-19. At the root of the controversy was the US’s Tibet Policy and Support Act (TPSA). The controversy escalated when the US Congress passed a bill.  American policy on Tibet and reaffirmed the US’s support for the Dalai Lama and the CTA. This Act will result in economic and visa sanctions on any of the Chinese officials who interfere with the succession of the Dalai Lama. Not only that, but the Act will also require Beijing to allow the opening of a US consulate in Lhasa before any new Chinese consulate can be opened in the US. The TPSA passed by the both house of Congress of the US as an amendment to the $1.4 trillion government spending bill and the $900 billion Covid-19 relief package. The Act sets aside, $1 million per annum for the Special US Coordinator on Tibet. $675,000 for scholarship programs, $575,000 for scholarly exchanges, $ 8 million for China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, $6 million for Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal, $ 3.4 million for Voice of America and Radio Free Asia reporting on Tibet, and $3 million for Tibetan exiles have been allocated for the government. Tibet has been a major weapon against the United States in attacking China. Claiming to be the new head of government, Dorjee announced in his election manifesto that he would take the Tibetan independence struggle to the next level. He pledged to expand the capacity of offices in Delhi, Washington DC and Brussels, and Taipei. He also pledged to advance the Tibetan freedom struggle strategically by enhancing coordination with the central government of India. ‘Let’s move forward together for one nation, one people, one struggle; “Let’s use collective energy and resources for great thinking, invention and Tibetan independence, rights and dignity,” he said. Both candidates have ties to the United States. Thus, the US influence on the Tibetan community in the region is likely to increase. This seems to have an impact on Nepal, which has adopted a ‘one-China policy. The strategy of digitizing the activities related to independent Tibet seems to have an impact on Nepal as well. The US always has argued against Nepal on the issue of Tibetan issue. The US Secretary of the State  2019, asked the Nepal government to honor the principle of “non-refoulment”, a cornerstone of international refugee law whereby asylum seekers or refugees can’t be forced to return to a country where they can be subjected to persecution. In his note to the PM, Secretary Pompeo made a special mention regarding Tibetan refugees in Nepal and highlighted Nepal’s reassurance to protect the rights of Tibetans in Nepal, particularly the principle of non-refoulment. Nepal is firmly committed to the One China policy and is also committed not to allow its soil to be used for any inimical activities against China. CTA announcing free Tibet will impact on Nepal-China relations. The aggression activities by upcoming CTA leadership; will have a certain influence on communities settling in Nepal. Winch will certainly impact Nepal’s policy. It is and need to be a great concern to both of the nation. This Article Initially published in The Asia Live in. Click hear to read archive of the original article.

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US Tibetan Policy: Possibilities Of Using Nepal’s Land Against China

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At present, there is debate of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in Nepal. Secondly the debate of US Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) is reaching in peak. But, the US bill on Tibetan Policy and Support Act 2019 is in under the shadow which directly impact on Nepal-China relations. The policy targeting to the Tibet, an autonomous region of China has focused on Nepal to. This new law has shown signs of interference with Nepal’s ‘One China Policy’. However, there has been no discussion of a Tibetan bill passed by the United States in Nepal that has been embroiled in MCC controversy. In fact, in the political document presented in the second full meeting of the central committee of the ruling party of Nepal; Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) was stated that IPS had come in line with US strategy to surround China. Later It was corrected after the many of CCM agitate on the phrase. The document remains silent about the MCC and the bill. Meeting formed the task force under the leadership of senior leader JhalaNath Khanal to review the MCC. PrimeMinister Kp Sharma Oli, one of the Chair of the CPN is in position to pass the MCC from the parliament. This article is focused on the another factor affecting Nepal-China relations; US Tibetan Policy and Support Act 2019. What is the latest US law on Tibet? A law passed by the US parliament last month has closely monitored the human rights situation in Tibet. Also support the activities of ‘Dalai Lama’ and his followers. Not only that, it supported the separationist of the Tibet. The law is expected to put pressure on China to set up a US diplomatic center in Tibet. Under this legal foundation, the United States will now ban the new Chinese consulate in the United States until it establishes its diplomatic center in Tibet. However, China has commented that the US move would help those seeking independent Tibet. China has accused the US of questioning China’s sovereignty and geographical integrity. The law that is now passed will replace the ‘Tibetan Policy Act 2002’. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has recently raised the issue of Tibet. “We are supporting the rights of religious freedom of Tibetan citizens,” she said during a vote in parliament last month, “The Tibetan Buddhist community has the right to elect its religious leader and future Dalai Lama.” The new law has added a provision for the President to provide financial support to NGOs in Tibet for the sustainable development of the Tibetan community, to preserve cultural and historicity as well as to protect health education and the environment. Likewise, the bill envisages a special coordinator to look into the Tibet issue. The aim of which is to make the selection of new Dalai Lama through a democratic way through dialogue between the Dalai Lama’s representative and the Chinese government. Nepal under the new law Nepal is also discussed in US laws regarding Tibet. The third section of the law deals with the selection of the successor of the Dalai Lama. In this section, Nepal and Bhutan, India, Mongolia, China, Russia and the United States have a Tibetan Buddhist community accusing China of interfering in the selection of a new Dalai Lama. It also included the statement given by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on March 29, 1919, that the selection of the successor of the living Buddha along with the new Dalai Lama should be in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations. In this section, explaining American policy, the participation of the Tibetan Buddhist community in the election of a new Dalai Lama is mentioned in a traditional way. According to the wish of the 14th Dalai Lama, there should be an election of the 15th Dalai Lama. The law stipulates that the Chinese government or any government’s activities that restrict Tibetan Buddhist activity will violate the basic religious freedom of the Tibetan people and Tibetan Buddhists. The United States may be banned from engaging in such activities. By which activities of the The fifth section of this law also mentions the democratic system of the exiled Tibetan community. Under which the Tibetan refugee community around the world should be given the right to elect a leader with the right to self-governance. In section 4 of it, referring to the Tibetan community seeking to preserve its culture, religion and language, the US State Department must deal with the Government of Nepal. “The Secretary of State should urge the Government of Nepal to honor the Gentleman’s Agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and to provide legal documentation to long-staying Tibetan residents in Nepal who fled a credible threat of persecution in Tibet in order to allow them to more fully participate in the economy and society of Nepal. ‘ By this Act, it is authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 for the Office of the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. Likewise, US will invest 1,250,000 $ on Name of Tibetan Scholarship Program each years on Nepal like nations. US will invest in Nepal on project of Humanitarian Assistance and Support to Tibetan Refugees in South Asia. It also amid to invest $8,000,000 for each year of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 under to support activities which preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development, education, and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities in the Tibet Autonomous Region and in other Tibetan communities in China. Under the Assistance for Tibetans in India and Nepal, US will invest 6,000,000$ in name of promotion and preservation of Tibetan Culture and language Development. This investment is directly amid to development of future generation of Tibetan leaders. It will impact the relations between Nepal and China. The act has authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 for programs to strengthen the capacity of Tibetan institutions and strengthen democracy, governance, information and international outreach, and research. Not only

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