Why did India refuse to support Tibet initially when China invaded it? A new book finds answers

When China invaded, Tibet decided to appeal to the UN, but it needed a member state to sponsor its case. After failing to sway Britain, it sought India’s sponsorship. India firmly declined, citing two primary reasons: “New China”, a term euphemising the Communist regime, lacked representation in the UN, and Tibet lacked international recognition. Additionally, India deemed Tibet’s proposal for a plebiscite “unfeasible”.

[Girija Shankar] Bajpai conveyed to the British High Commissioner in New Delhi, HC Roberts, that Tibet had consulted India regarding raising the issue of China’s invasion at the UN. While declining sponsorship, India pledged to support the appeal on the broader principle that China’s use of force was unjust, subsequently instructing the Indian mission in New York accordingly. Ultimately, Tibet transmitted its appeal via telegram. The joint plea by the kashag and the Tibetan national assembly contested China’s assertion of popular support in Tibet for the invasion, culminating in a passionate appeal:

The problem is simple, the Chinese claim Tibet as a part of China; the Tibetans feel that racially, culturally and geographically, they are far apart from the Chinese. If the Chinese find the reactions of the Government of Tibet to their unnatural claim NOT acceptable, there are other civilised...

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