South Asia and Beyond

China Got The Palm (Tibet), Now Going After The Five Fingers: Lobsang Sangay on Ladakh Clash

NEW DELHI: It was seven decades ago that China invaded Tibet and occupied it, unleashing on its people a regime that has been both repressive and authoritarian. Now, amidst the ongoing military face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh that has left 20 Indian soldiers dead, President of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Dr Lobsang Sangay says these tactics by Beijing will only increase as it pursues its expansionist policies in the region. In this interview with StratNews Global Deputy Editor Parul Chandra, he also draws attention to the fact that late Chairman Mao Tse Tung had described Tibet as the palm, with Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh as the fingers. Having got control of the palm (Tibet), he says, now they’re after the fingers. Dr Sangay says with China putting pressure on India’s immediate neighbours—Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives—New Delhi will need to counter Beijing’s moves. For more, watch this interview.

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Parul Chandra

Professional newshound, have navigated through typewriters, computers and mobile phones during my over three-decade-long career working in some of India's finest newsrooms (The Times of India, Financial Express). Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan are my focus, also Sri Lanka (when boss permits). Age and arthritis (that's a joke) have not dimmed the thrill of chasing a story. Loves music, animals and pasta.

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