Ready to help to ease tensions over Tibet: Krishna

External Affairs Minister, S M Krishna who held extensive talks with four senior Chinese leaders here today, told the media here that the Tibetan issue had figured during the parleys.

"We did discuss Tibetan issue also. It is government of India`s position that the Tibetan Autonomous Region is part of the People`s Republic of China, (PRC) as a result of that we are dealing with internal affairs of China", he said.

"Hence we have to be very cautious and any help that we can render to ease the tensions, we are too willing to do it. But I do not think that situation will ever arise", he said. Krishna was replying to question whether Chinese leaders have raised Beijing`s concerns over recent incidents in Tibet.

Elaborating on India`s stand, Indian officials said India is striking a cautious note on the Tibetan situation and want to reiterate that New Delhi is sticking to its previous stand that Tibet is part of China.

India also reportedly reiterated the stand that the Dalai Lama is an honoured guest and his activities were not political.

Sixteen Buddhist Monks attempted self immolations in the recent months and two persons were killed in recent violent demonstrations in Sichuan province, bordering Tibet.

China yesterday blamed the Tibetan Youth Congress for the violence and self immolations and vowed to put down the violence.

Krishna, who inaugurated the USD 10 million Indian Embassy here today began his day by meeting Zhou Yongkong, a senior politburo member of the ruling Communist Party of China, (CPC). .

Krishna later had a luncheon meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi followed by meetings with Wang Jiarui, a senior official of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, (CPC) and top Chinese diplomat and State Counsellor, Dai Bingguo.

Welcoming Krishna, Zhou expressed satisfaction over the pace of progress in the Sino-India relations.

There is enough space and opportunity for the people of both the countries to develop together. The bilateral relationship made good progress and "we are satisfied with the progress", he said.

In his meeting with Krishna, Dai said though it is a private visit, it had become more than a visit.

"I believe the two neighbours certainly engaged in flexible and practical ways to increase the exchanges".

For his part Krishna praised Dai for playing a positive role in mproving India-China relations.

"We consider you as genuine friend of India. It would not be an exaggeration to say that you guided the growth of our relations during the last decade".

In his press briefing, Krishna said in his talks with Yang, he proposed that 2012 be a year of friendship and cooperation, which Chinese leader has accepted would help the talks between the leaderships of the two countries.

He said based on his invitation, Yang may visit India before President Hu Jintao`s to attend BRICS summit to be held on March 28.

On the issue of Chinese presence in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, he said Pakistan is in illegal occupation of certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

This has been brought to the attention of the Chinese leadership repeatedly and there it stands, he said.