Czech FM: Pavel’s India trip was private, China should treat it that way

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (SPOLU) said President Petr Pavel’s recent visit to India was a private trip during which he met the Dalai Lama to personally congratulate him on his 90th birthday. Lipavský urged Beijing to view it in this context. China announced it was cutting all contacts with Pavel, claiming the July 27 meeting harmed its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Czech presidential office responded that no direct communication between the two presidents exists, so the move changes nothing. Other Czech officials, including Health Minister Vlastimil Válek and Science Minister Marek Ženíšek (both TOP 09), expressed support for Pavel and criticised Beijing’s stance.