India tells China it won't ban Tibet protests: report
NEW DELHI (AFP) — India has told China it cannot ban protests by Tibetan refugees but will protect the Olympic torch when it arrives here next week on its round-the-world journey, media reports said Saturday.
India said being a democratic country, it would not suppress free expression by Tibetan protesters, in response to a query by the Chinese, the Press Trust of India reported, quoting unnamed official sources.
However, New Delhi promised Beijing it would ensure adequate security for the Olympic torch during its relay here on Thursday, the sources were quoted as saying.
The flame's journey ahead of the Beijing Games in August has sparked protests in a number of cities against China's suppression of unrest in Tibet.
India earlier said it would allow Chinese guards to protect the Olympic torch along with its own security forces along the route which has been cut from nine kilometres (six miles) to three kilometres due to protest fears.
India's foreign ministry here could not be reached for comment on the reports. The Chinese embassy here also could not be contacted.
Tibet last month saw the biggest protests in years against China's controversial rule, on the anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising that sent the Dalai Lama fleeing into exile in India.
India has limited its response to the Chinese crackdown in Tibet to calling it "distressing" but it has urged the Dalai Lama not to use Indian soil as a springboard for anti-Beijing activity.
India is home to at least 100,000 Tibetan exiles and refugees, as well as the Dalai Lama.
