For the second time in a month, China on Friday warned India of "serious damage" to bilateral ties if it allows the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh as Beijing asked New Delhi to honour its "political pledges" on the Tibet issue.
"We are seriously concerned about the news. On the eastern section of the China-India border, China's position is clear and consistent," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told media here on Friday, responding to a question on the Dalai Lama's upcoming visit to Arunachal Pradesh.
China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of south Tibet.
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The Dalai clique has long been engaging in separatist activities with an inglorious record. India should be very clear with the true nature of the Dalai clique.Lu Kang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson
"But despite this, India still invited the Dalai Lama to visit the region. This will have serious damage on bilateral relations," Lu said.
The Dalai Lama will visit Arunachal Pradesh from 4 April to 13 April.
This is the second time this month Chinese Foreign Ministry has aired its objections to the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh.
China is gravely concerned over information that India has granted permission to the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang
China had protested to India in 2016 when New Delhi cleared his visit to Arunachal Pradesh.
Kang remained steadfast, saying:
Such visits will have deep damage on China-India relations. We have asked India to stick to its political pledges and not to hurt China-India relations. It will come down to India to make a choice.
China has accused the Dalai Lama of secessionist activities in Tibet. He has been living in self-imposed exile in India since 1959. In 1959, the Dalai Lama had escaped from China through Tawang, considered one of the most important seats of Tibetan Buddhism. Since then, he has visited Arunachal Pradesh in 1983, 1997, 2003 and 2009.
(With inputs from PTI)
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