The Times of India reports that a Chinese foreign ministry official has invited India to reopen the consulate in Lhasa that it closed after the war with China in 1962:
With the 13th round of border talks between India and China resuming in New Delhi earlier this month, Beijing is emphasizing that it wants improved relations with its southern neighbour…
Though officials stop short of spelling it out, the major irritant in India-China ties is the presence of the Dalai Lama and his ‘government-in-exile’ in India’s Dharamsala town.
China officially calls the exiled former ruler of Tibet a separatist and his ‘government’ illegal and it is clear that exchanges between the two governments could improve remarkably if India closes down the ‘government-in-exile’, just as Nepal closed the office of the Dalai Lama’s envoy in Kathmandu four years ago.
In response, an Indian government official stated that the Indian government has not approached Chinese authorities to request to reopen the consulate:
When contacted, the Indian official clarified there was no question of China discussing this issue as New Delhi has not presented any plans to open a consulate in the Tibetan capital.
Nepal is the only country with a consulate in Lhasa. The US is also seeking to open a consulate in Lhasa, expected to be discussed when President Obama visits China in October.
