A delegation from the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has asked India to “stand up more against the expansionist policy of the Chinese government”, suggesting unease in the Tibetan exile community over the country’s response to the Chinese imperial push.

The Tibetan delegates, who are part of an advocacy tour of Jammu and Kashmir, also urged India to declare Tibet as an occupied country with its own independent and sovereign past.

Dawa Tsering, a member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, said there was not an inch of territory called “India-China border” before 1949 and all that existed was the India-Tibet border.

“Therefore, Indian people, Indian leaders should politically stand up more against the expansionist policy of the Chinese government, particularly Xi Jinping, who tried to provoke strongly against India and its neighbouring countries,” Tsering told reporters in Srinagar.

“China’s claim on the so-called border is totally illegal. Recently they released a map including Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh in their territory. This is totally illegal. It should be condemned by every person who respects human rights.”

The Tibetan delegation was reacting to the release of a new standard map by China that includes Arunachal and Ladakh.

“We expect the Indian government to stand strongly against the Chinese expansionist policy that it adopts not only towards India but all South Asian countries. At the G20 meeting, the delegations from South Asian countries should stand against this Chinese policy,” Tsering said.

The Tibetan leader said they were not against friendly India-China relations but it should not be at the cost of Tibet.

“We respect good relations between India and China but for the friendship of India and China, don’t sacrifice Tibet. That will be a big loss in future for India,” he said.

Tsering said President Xi had been provoking the Indian government and the Indian people ever since he came to power.