Chimera

“You mean Chinese citizens or Tibetans?”

“I am afraid I do not know the statistics.” Jiang replied simply.

Aren’t you predictable… Ravoof thought with an inward smile before finally turning away from the windows to face his guest:

“Of course”

He opened a file and removed a piece of paper from it and handed it to Jiang across the table:

“That is the statement that the Government of India has released as of fifteen minutes ago and which the prime-minister will reiterate during his scheduled press conference from Washington DC. It asks for both sides to break off the cycle of violence that has been spiraling out of control in Tibet for the last few weeks. This is the gist of the page long statement you find in front of you. The prime-minister wanted me to give you a personal assurance of help should Beijing need a mediator to intervene on behalf of both sides.”

Ravoof leaned back in his chair while Jiang grew significantly more uncomfortable in his own.

“I will pass this offer back to Beijing, but I would also like to remind you and your government that the situation in Tibet is an internal affair, not an international one. While we thank India for taking a mature stand in these troubled times, I feel obliged to remind you that the resolution of an internal affair does not require international mediation, similar to your situation in Kashmir.” Jiang replied in an almost unnoticeably sterner tone than before. It did not escape his Indian host though.

“The two situations are somewhat different, Mr. Ambassador. I would not advise such a simple comparison. Further, there are historical issues to consider. We have the Tibetan government-in-exile still on our soil.”

“You mean the rebel leaders. India would better serve both India’s and China’s interests by first removing such outlaw encampments from Indian soil before offering help to others. It is very well known that with the deterioration in health of the Dalai Lama over the last few months, his demise cannot be ruled out. And a replacement will be chosen and it will be one from Tibet. At that point the existence of the current ‘government-in-exile’ will be nothing more than a rebel encampment. The Indian government stands to do good here if it were to recognize this and begin taking steps to prevent any… disruption that these outlaws may then cause from Indian soil. As perhaps is already happening as we speak. ”

The Indian Foreign Minister now leaned forward:

“Mr. Ambassador, these may be troubled times for your government, but it is highly advisable for you to avoid accusing other countries with outrageous and, I if do say so myself, naive claims. We know what your state-run media has begun to spew out over the past few weeks and please don’t waste my time with denials. You know better than that. The Dalai-Lama is under the weather. He is not dead nor is he close to being so, all rumors not-withstanding. And assuming the worst possible outcome, should he indeed pass away, may I remind you that a very large portion of the Tibetan population resides in India now rather than your so-called Tibet Autonomous Regions? Perhaps the future Dalai Lama may come from within his people in this country. Has your government considered this? Or is that too hard to even consider in Beijing? If that were to happen, the Tibetan government-in-exile will stay here unhindered.

“And as far as the attacks over the last few months in Tibet by so-called Tibetan dissidents are concerned, perhaps it may have more to do with a renewed round of genocidal activities being undertaken by your armies there rather than the Dalai Lama’s ailments or any other supposed theories that Beijing is attempting to come up with.

“Further, the prime-minister has gone to great lengths to make statements of support at a time when the emotions of our own citizens are high and when such statements tend to weaken his position within his own people. Keep pushing this government and you will find a far colder atmosphere in New-Delhi than what you might have prepared for. Don’t make the situation worse for both of us. I would much rather have you over for tea than not,” and with that both sides had drawn an unseen line across the table that separated them. Jiang absorbed the blow, but recovered his composure quickly:

“I am sorry for my emotional comments. But as you said it, these are difficult times. I will pass back your government’s offer for mediations back to my government.”

Ambassador Jiang glanced at the paper in his hands. A few seconds later he finally spoke again:

“There is one other matter that my government thought you might need to know. There was an attack six days ago on a civilian convoy that cost the lives of more than three dozen civilians. The attack took place on the section of the highway just north of the border in Ladakh.” The Ambassador stared back into the eyes of the host who returned the favor: