NEW DELHI, Nov 29 (AFP) - A Tibetan leader on Friday called on India's leaders not to sacrifice the "rights and happiness of the Tibetan people" while trying to improve relations with China.

"It is our sincere hope that while India and China attempt to establish better co-operation in the future, this will not be at the expense of trampling on the rights and happiness of the Tibetan people," said Tempa Tsering, an official of the Dalai Lama's government-in-exile.

Tsering, speaking from the northern Indian town of Dharamsala, where the government is based, said that China was trying to mislead the world about the situation in Tibet.

He said there was increased repression in Tibet, "which now includes a ban on possessing photographs of the Dalai Lama, closure of monasteries, and expulsion of monks and nuns owing allegiance to the Dalai Lama."

"China has turned Tibet into a vast prison," Tsering said.

Tsering's remarks came as Chinese President Jiang Zemin pressed on with an official visit to India which has been marred by street protests by Tibetans in New Delhi.

Tsering also argued that the inclusion of Tibetan officials in China's delegation to India was "an attempt by China to impress the world that the Tibetan people support whatever agreement that might be signed on Tibet between India and China."

"In this connection, we condemn the inclusion of Gyaincain Norbu, the chairman of the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region and Doje Tsering, the deputy minister of civil administration, in the Chinese delegation."

India has been home to the Dalai Lama since he fled his homeland in 1959 following a failed anti-Chinese uprising. More than 100,000 Tibetans live in India. The Dalai Lama's government-in-exile is not recognised by any country.