BANGALORE: China invaded Tibet because it wanted the fertile Tibetan plateau under its control. But the invasion would probably not have happened in the 1950s if Tibet had been a UN member, said P K Devaiah, convener, south zone, Indo-Tibet at Bylakuppe.

Speaking at a panel discussion on Sunday on Indo-China relations organized as part of a three-day festival to thank India in the 50th year of Tibetans in exile, Devaiah said 80% of China's water requirements are fulfilled by the Tibetan plateau.

"We used to have a peaceful, friendly neighbour in Tibet. With Chinese occupation, we have to use resources to guard the border," he said.

Thupten Samphel, secretary, department of information and international relations, Dharamshala, said that when Tibetans first came to India after being such a closed community, the only things they found familiar were the sky and earth. "But education was an important driving force. Even today, parents risk their lives to come to India for their children's education. Tibetans have managed to preserve their culture in India," he said.

Explaining the importance of the biodiversity of the Tibetan plateau, he said it feeds all the major rivers of Asia. "The whole of Asia has a stake in what China does to Tibet because if China diverts rivers, it will have a huge impact," he added.

Claude Arpi, French author and an expert on Tibet, elucidated on the history of the Chinese invasion.

The celebration is on till Tuesday at Chitrakala Parishath, and includes several films and exhibitions.