China acknowledges India support

BEIJING, April 3 (UPI) -- India's request that Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama refrain from political activities on its soil reportedly has earned Chinese gratitude.

China, facing widening Tibetan protests against its rule of their homeland, appreciated the Indian foreign minister's call to the Dalai Lama, the Press Trust of India reported Thursday.

The Tibetan leader has lived in exile in India since escaping from China in 1959.

The Dalai Lama reportedly was informed by New Delhi this week that political activities by him and his supporters could hurt India's improving relations with China.

India and China fought a border war in 1962 and after years of strained relations, the two countries are coming closer, a situation which India is keen to preserve.

The PTI report said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi spoke to his Indian counterpart, Pranab Mukherjee, over phone to discuss the Tibet issue, bilateral relations and the Olympic Torch relay in New Delhi.

Spokesman Liu Jianchao told PTI that in this talk, Yang sought India's continued support and understanding while being appreciative of its directive.

"That is the right stand. We express appreciation for this," Liu said.