Himalayan Times (1962)

April 1, 1962

Himalayan Times

Thrae

SCARCITY IN TIBET REPORTED

CHINESE BLAME INDIA

Now Delhi, March 28

Soma recent reports
from Lhasa speak of
widespread "distress con-
ditions" in 1'ibet. Food
And other essential com-
modities are soarce in
many p.irt.f of the country.

According to travel-
lers and traders returning
from Tibet, the Chines*
authorities, whose policies
have been directly res
ponsible for the dwind-
ling of the area's trade
with India, are exploiting
the present situation for
anti Indian propaganda.

x Through their official
media, the Chinese have
reportedly been telling the
Tibetans that their diffi-
culties are the direct result
of India's unwillingness to
renew the - It 4.agreement
and oontinue the century-
old trade pattern

The recent Chinese
communications, particu-
larly the one reoeived a
few days ago to whioh
India has not replied,
make no secret of Peking's
anxiety to renew tha trade
paut. Yet China has been
steadily placing curbs and
restrictions on Indian
traders and making nor-
mal trade virtually im-
possible.

This contradiction is

explained by the faot that
while the Chinese are ea-
ger to continue the trade
they want it to proceed
according to a new pat-
tern designed to meet
their own political and
strategio requirements, ra
ther than satisfy the in-
terests of the Tibetan
population.

It is unlikely that
India would accept the
proposition for the renewal
of trade pact as it would
amount to agreeing to do
what suits the Chinese
without any corresponding.
yieldiDg of ground on their
part. . .'•

. Before the Chinese
occupation of Tibet tra-
d rs from Lidakh Hima-
ohal Pradesh and ,other
border areas in India used
to carry food and other
goods needed by the peo-
ple of Tibet and bring
back from there wool etc.
Since 1955, owing to the
influence of the Chinese
and their armies, there is
additional need for food-
grains whioh the authori-
ties in Peking have seem-
ingly not been able to
meet.

Reports indicate that
at times even if the Chi-
nese have been able to
bring foodgrains into Ti-

bet they have failed to
transport them to different
parts, thereby oraating
shortages and hardships.

Besides their own in-
ability to bring in ade-
' quate quantities of food',
they are known to have
been putting pressure on
Indian traders to import
certain strategio supplies,
such as petrol, diesel oil
and implements, in plaoa
of foodgrains. In their
anxiety to get these sup-
plies they have imposed
monetary restrictions
which have made .it al-
most impossible for Indian
traders to maintain the
traditional pattern of ex
change of.< goods. In faot,
conditions were -oreated
-under whioh some traders
ooiild not collect payment
, for their.goods unless they
promised to bring the
required quantities of
strat gic supplies on their
next journey.

India, on the other
hand has been discoura-
ging export of such arti-
cles. Since China's aggres-
sive designs have been
known for the past few
years, it would have been
unwise to have acted
otherwise. No restrictions
have, however been placed
on the normal exchange
of goods.

WHILE IN KALIMPONG
STAY AT

CHAN DRA5