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The Indian government called off Mr Nath's trip to protest the Chinese foreign ministry's summoning of India's ambassador to Beijing on early Saturday over Tibetan protests in India. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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NEW DELHI - NEW DELHI has cancelled a proposed visit to Beijing by Trade Minister Kamal Nath after China summoned the Indian envoy over Tibetan protests in India, a report said on Thursday.
Mr Nath was due to travel to Beijing on April 1 to take part in discussions on a trade agreement between the two Asian giants, The Times of India reported.
But the Indian government called off Mr Nath's trip to protest the Chinese foreign ministry's summoning of India's ambassador to Beijing on early Saturday over Tibetan protests in India, the newspaper reported.
A foreign ministry official in New Delhi declined to confirm the report.
China's foreign ministry called Indian ambassador Mr Nirupama Rao at 2am and handed over details of plans of more Tibetan demonstrations in India, after protesters broke into the Chinese embassy compound in New Delhi last Friday.
The Indian government found China's action objectionable, the newspaper reported.
Last week, about 15 Tibetan protesters screaming 'Free Tibet' scaled the Chinese embassy complex's high railings and stormed the site.
The exiles had made several prior attempts to enter Chinese diplomatic missions in India since the start of the unrest in Tibet.
Olympics security
On Wednesday, India assured China that it would provide security for the Olympic torch when it arrives here on April 17 in the lead up to the summer Games in Beijing.
The pledge came after anti-Chinese protesters disrupted the Olympic torch-lighting ceremony on Monday at Ancient Olympia, Greece.
'India will ensure proper security for the Olympic torch during its relay here,' National Security Adviser M. K. Narayanan told reporters after China expressed concern over its safety in India.
A few days before the Tibetans stormed the Chinese embassy, China's premier Wen Jiabao thanked Indian authorities for cracking down on protests on Indian soil.
'The Tibetan issue is a very sensitive one in our relations with India,' Mr Wen said last Tuesday.
India is home to at least 100,000 Tibetan exiles and refugees, as well as the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader.
Indian police earlier this month arrested about 100 Tibetan marchers who were trying to trek from India to their homeland.
The Indian government said after the arrests that it 'does not permit Tibetans to engage in anti-China political activities in India'. -- AFP
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