China Should Stay Out of Our Matters: Rijiju Over Dalai Lama Visit
According to reports, the Tibetan spiritual leader’s arrival is delayed due to bad weather.
- The Dalai Lama’s arrives in Arunachal Pradesh
- China claims Arunachal Pradesh as Southern Tibet
- Minister of State Kiren Rijiju said the Dalai Lama’s visit is religious in nature, not political
India-China diplomatic tensions rose afresh over the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, with New Delhi asserting on Tuesday that no political motive should be attributed to the visit and asked Beijing not to interfere in its internal affairs.
Beijing in a fresh salvo slammed the Dalai Lama as an "anti-China separatist" and attacked New Delhi indirectly for its support to the Tibetan leader.
Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who is from Arunachal Pradesh, said that no political motive should be attributed to Dalai Lama's trip. "India has always been non-interfering in the neighbours' internal affairs in our approach," Rijiju told reporters in New Delhi. "In the same manner, we expect the same from our neighbours," he said.
China in March said ties with India would be hit if New Delhi allowed the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh, which is claimed by Beijing as part of South Tibet.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said China was strictly opposed to the visit.
Geng said India knew the sensitivity of the border issue between both countries and allowing the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh would damage its ties with China.
Asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is not a disputed territory, Rijiju said: "We have certain issues with regard to delineation of the boundary on the spots, on the ground along McMahon Line because it is not being demarcated on the ground. That is why there is a talk between the special representatives of India and China and the people of Arunachal Pradesh hope that an amicable solution can be reached in the foreseeable future time."
The Dalai Lama Gets a Welcome at Thubchog Gatsel Ling Monastry
The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu welcomed His Holiness Dalai Lama at the Thubchof Gatsel Ling Monastry in Bomdila.
Dalai Lama Arrives
The Dalai lama arrives in Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh.
China Keeps a Close Watch
A wary China keeps a close watch as the Dalai Lama is set to begin over a week-long visit to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, to attend religious engagements, evoking high decibel protests from Beijing, which highlighted the disputed status of the area.
According to reports, however, the Tibetan spiritual leader’s arrival to Tawang is delayed due to bad weather.
He will reach Bomdila by road in the evening and reach Tawang on Thursday, two days after his scheduled date of arrival, reported ANI.
Tawang Prepares Ahead of The Dalai Lama's Visit
Indo-China Ties at a Low Ebb
His politically significant visit comes specially at a time when India-China ties are at a low ebb due to differences over India's objections over China-Pakistan Economic Corridor through PoK, Beijing blocking India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and a UN ban on JeM chief Masood Azhar.
China on Sunday night said the Dalai Lama fled to India from Tibet in 1959 after a "failed armed rebellion", rejecting the Tibetan spiritual leader's remarks that he had no other option, but to escape.
During his visit to Assam on 1 April, the Tibetan Buddhist leader recalled that "On 10 March 1959, there were huge demonstrations in Lhasa", the Tibetan region's capital.
He said the warm-hearted welcome he received on his arrival at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh 58 years ago was a "moment of freedom" for him.
India's Response to China
Responding to China’s objections to the Dalai Lama’s visit, Minister of State, Kiren Rijiju said his visit is only religious in nature and an unnecessary political angle should not be given to it.
Sonam Dagpo, spokesperson of the Tibetan government-in-exile, said there’s no reason for the Chinese to protest as the Dalai Lama is only visiting his followers. He added that he has been visiting Tawang for many years, but only in the last few years Chinese protests have intensified.
Indo-China's Complicated Boundary Issue
Ahead of his visit to Tawang, China has sought to highlight the disputed status of the Tawang, located about 25 km close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
According to reports, the Tibetan spiritual leader is expected to stay in Arunachal Pradesh – which China claims as southern Tibet – till 12 April to attend religious engagements.
On 1 April, China had asked India to exercise caution and restraint in its reported plan to connect Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh – which Beijing claims as part of Tibet – with railway network, saying that New Delhi should refrain from unilateral actions that might complicate the boundary issue.
(With inputs from PTI)
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