China thanks India for curbing Tibetan protests

New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) China Thursday blamed the Dalai Lama for stoking extremist views and thanked India for taking "effective and concrete" steps to curb protests by Tibetans during President Hu Jintao's visit.

Luo Zhaohui, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs, regretted the loss of innocent lives in and around Tibet but said Beijing opposed "pro-independence Tibetan activists".

Answering a query about the death of a young Tibetan protester in New Delhi Wednesday, Luo said loss of innocent lives was always regretful.

"On the other hand, we look to emphasise that Dalai Lama and so-called pro-freedom Tibetan activists pushing extreme radical views by glorifying extreme behaviour is not consistent with Buddhism," Luo said.

Jamphel Yeshi, a 27-year-old Tibetan, died Wednesday after setting himself ablaze to protest Hu's India visit for the BRICS meeting.

Luo said India recognises Tibet as a part of China.

He said it was "regretful" that Tibetan protestors created trouble for the Indian government.

The "Chinese side appreciates effective and concrete measures taken by government of India", he said.

Authorities clamped prohibitory orders banning the gathering of four or more people in the capital and arrested many Tibetans to prevent possible trouble during Hu's trip.

Answering queries, Luo said ties between India and China had witnessed growth and momentum due to institutional contacts and people-to-people ties.

On the border issue, he said the mechanism of meeting between special representatives of the two sides was making progress.

Luo said the two countries have been able to maintain peace and tranquility on the Line of Actual Control.

Ma Zhaoxu, Assistant Foreign Minister, said the BRICS meeting had been successful and added that India as the host country played a very important role in its positive outcome.

"It is fair to describe the summit as success," he said.