Former Defence Minister George fernandes described as an ‘error’ the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s decision to recognize Tibet as a part of China and commented China as “potential threat number one” to India. He also criticized United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to dispensation for allowing it to be “bullied”.

While showing his concern and anger over the matter of Tibet crisis and India’s response to it, Fernandes said that the Olympic Torch should not be allowed to enter India. Regarding the efforts in this direction he asked his “colleagues” and others to make “whatever effort” to prevent the flame’s run in this country.

Over the matter of India’s decision to recognize Tibet as part of China during the previous Atal Bihari Vajpayee government he said, “It was not a mistake but an error. It should not have been done.”

Commenting on the recent incident of Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao being summoned by the Chinese Foreign Ministry past midnight, Fernandes said New Delhi had “surrendered” over the issue.

Rao was summoned past midnight to register concern over breach of security at Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.

When asked whether India was being “bullied” by China, he replied “absolutely, and it accepts it.”