The pan-Tibetan uprising

Compare and contrast the two situations. In September last, Burma saw the first public protests in 20 years, primarily led by saffron-robed monks. In unison, the world community rose up to condemn the Rangoon junta. In the middle of March this year, the Tibetan Autonomous Region and Tibetan-populated territories beyond saw the largest public protests against Beijing since 1989, similarly led by saffron-robed monks. The world reaction this time was mostly limited to Tibetan refugees demonstrating in various host countries, together with supporters of the so-called Tibetan 'cause'. A resounding silence enveloped the world capitals, even as in Southasia the governments in Kathmandu and New Delhi made haste to block demonstrations so that the short-tempered Chinese dragon would not be too enraged.

The double-standard at work over the years in not taking Beijing to task for its colonial mentality on Tibet, is, of course, the result of China's growth as an economic colossus. Added to that, the governments of Southasia are confronted by the sheer geopolitical might of Beijing. The xenophobia of China vis-à-vis Tibet makes all kinds of foreign authorities, from Foggy Bottom to Whitehall to South Block to the International Olympic Committee, shun confrontation to the extent of appeasement. And it says something that, while the United Nations can depute Ibrahim Gambari as special envoy on Burma, the world body cannot utter a cautionary word on Tibet – much less assign a special representative.