The issue of Tibet is not something we have not seen earlier in history. Similarities can be drawn between the cry for Scottish independence or the troubles in Northern Ireland. The fact is China invaded and occupied Tibet in 1950. No one was too worried about it then as Tibet had no oil and China then had fought the Japanese.

Today (since a few years) it has become a big issue because the Tibet issue is a handy tool to besmirch the growing power of China. The west and the US are afraid of the growing economic and military clout of China. It cannot be targeted with economic sanctions as Americans have got used to cheap Chinese goods. The mammoth US MNCs would be ruined. Military option is also ruled out, as China is no poodle when it comes to military might. It has also learnt recently how to shoot down satellites. In other words China cannot be rebuked for its Tibet record.

One feels a sense of empathy with the Tibetan refugees in India. They want their own country. Indians who have seen colonial rule over their country can readily understand the pain of Tibetans. But they should understand that organizing mock Olympics is not going to get them independence from China. It has been an unstated law of international politics that small countries can be bullied and forced to let their restive minorities separate (Serbia). But when it comes to big countries like India and China, the cry for independence of smaller communities falls on deaf ears.

Perhaps it is a cruel world. Or maybe it is better that bigger countries get such a ‘leeway’. The spectre of either China or India disintegrating would frighten even the most die-hard proponents of human rights.

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Source: IHT205377