We are not China’s colony” says Botswana over a controversial Dalai Lama visit

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Botswana president wants you to know that he is not intimidated by China. Ian Khama, president of the diamond-rich nation of less than two million people, stood up to the global power over the Dalai Lama’s planned visit to his county this week.

“We are not your colony,” was the money quote of Khama’s account of his diplomatic standoff with China in recent weeks.

The Dalai Lama was set to visit the capital Gaborone for Aug. 17 to 19, as part of what Botswana officials dubbed a“purely private” visit organized by the NGO Mind and Life Institute and theBotho University. Still, Khama was set to meet with the spiritual leader, riling the Chinese..

They told me things like the ambassador may be recalled, it would damage relations between Botswana and China that they would as China engage other African states to isolate Botswana,” Khama said in the Aug. 17 edition of the Botswana Guardiannewspaper.

Neither side got to test the other’s resolve after the Dalai Lama cancelled his trip late last week, citing exhaustion and a doctor’s recommendation to avoid long trips.

“So we assume he will make a speedy recovery and once he has recovered, he is of course welcome to come and visit Botswana,
” Khama said defiantly. Chinese diplomats had earlier asked Botswana to “earnestly respect China’s core interests and make the correct political decision.”

Despite China’s warnings, Gaborone forged ahead with preparations for His Holiness’ visit. Gabz FM, one of the largest private radio stations in the country, ran regular advertisements for the live broadcast of the dialogue on “spirituality, science and humanity.”

In the Dalai Lama’s absence, the radio station still broadcast the three-day conference. Earlier this month, the Botswana Guardian newspaper published a glowing travel review of tourism to Tibet. The country’s media seems emboldened by the president’s stance that his country will not be bullied, sending the message that Botswana does not need China.

Botswana’s economy has stagnated as global commodity prices have dipped. The country needs to open up to more international investors that are interested in more than its diamonds. In the past, Botswana has benefitted from Chinese infrastructure development, but that usually comes with the recognition of the One China policy, and icing out Tibet. Hosting the Dalia Lama is a diplomatic and economic risk few African countries will dare.

It’s a gamble larger countries like South Africa have been too scared to take. Since Khama is stepping down next year, he won’t have to deal with the fallout of his diplomatic defiance.
 

Nicky G

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modi got a new friend....

Botswana a diamond rich nation and india the top polished diamond exporter....


anyway , something for srilanka and pakistan to learn from a country of less then two million people..
Not sure about the Sri Lankan but the Pakis will gladly accept Chini slavery if they thought it would help them needle us even a tiny bit more.
 

Hiranyaksha

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modi got a new friend....

Botswana a diamond rich nation and india the top polished diamond exporter....


anyway , something for srilanka and pakistan to learn from a country of less then two million people..
Diamonds have very little value in economy. Only dictators back themselves with diamonds.
 

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Diamonds have very little value in economy. Only dictators back themselves with diamonds.
the first voice , thats most importent !

and it came from a country of less then two million people , thats most heartening !!
 

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cricket.............................
 

A chauhan

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Botswana has shown middle finger to China :lol: China's entire Superpower pride has fallen down in the last few months. :lol:

On a serious note, many Pakistanis have now started to realize that they have only received loss through enmity with India and on Kashmir issue.
 

Tshering22

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This is an amazing development. PM Modi got a new friend.

And since Surat from his home state is the world's largest diamond polishing city, we should sign a government-to-government deal to source long-term diamonds from Botswana similar to what we did with Alroza from Russia.
 

Tshering22

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Botswana has shown middle finger to China :lol: China's entire Superpower pride has fallen down in the last few months. :lol:

On a serious note, many Pakistanis have now started to realize that they have only received loss through enmity with India and on Kashmir issue.
:lol:

I can't wait for Vietnam to harangue them.

The wounds of losing at the hands of a country 1/50th their size would be opened again. :D
 

Tshering22

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On a serious note, many Pakistanis have now started to realize that they have only received loss through enmity with India and on Kashmir issue.
Doesn't make a difference as long as their junta government keeps sourcing funding from Chinese government.
 

Tshering22

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On a serious note, many Pakistanis have now started to realize that they have only received loss through enmity with India and on Kashmir issue.
Any evidence on that?

They just keep harping anti-India tirade even now.
 

A chauhan

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Any evidence on that?

They just keep harping anti-India tirade even now.
Their tv debate videos, many videos say that educated Pakistanis (miniscule %) do regret.
 

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The 50 billion dollars of CPEC is partly for chinese use and partly for Pakistani use. The Pakistan will repay its share (25 billion) with the help of Saudi oil money along with interest accumulated. Saudi may be willing to set off some of its oil payments from China in return for pakistani debt repayment

The remaining 25 billion is for chinese use for next 20-30 years and are even guarded by chinese PLA troops. This infrastructure investment is more like a payment of rent charge to pakistan.
 

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