New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has said India after building a 'good' friendly relationship with China could play a role in solving the Tibet issue.

'Sino-Indian relations must improve. It should not be just a diplomatic smile but real sort of good friendship on the basis of trust (and) mutual trust... We can build the genuine Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai (Indians and Chinese are brothers) relations... I think, sooner or later it must develop. Because Tibet is next to the border, so India with that trust with Chinese leaders can help to reduce the problem... This is what I feel,' the Dalai Lama told a TV channel in an interview.

He said that talks 'is the only way forward' to solve the issue but described the current Chinese policy on Tibet as 'unrealistic'.

He said the Tibetan struggle was not against the Chinese people but against the policy makers of the country.

'We are not against the Chinese people, the Chinese policy. We are simply campaigning against some of the Chinese unrealistic policy due to ignorance or due to short sightedness.'

He said that many Chinese were now coming out in support of the Tibetan struggle, which is a sign of hope.

'Chinese are showing their interest or their concern. The number of Chinese writers and intellectuals are now showing their concern out of better awareness about Tibet. So they are critical about their own government policy.'

The Tibetan leader, who fled to India after an uprising against Chinese rule in March 1959, has spoken to NDTV and the interview will be telecast Sunday 10.30 p.m.