New Delhi: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Thursday slammed India's neighbouring country China and said 'he is trying to protect Buddhist culture'. "Not Chinese people, but some Chinese hardliners consider me a separatist. Now, more & more Chinese are realising that Dalai Lama not seeking independence but within China meaningful autonomy & to preserve Tibetan Buddhist culture," said the highest spiritual leader as reported by news agency ANI.
Asked about China's objection to his visit, the Dalai Lama said, "This is usual. The Chinese people are not objecting... more and more Chinese are showing interest in Tibetan Buddhism. Some of their scholars are realising that Tibetan Buddhism is very scientific. Things are changing." The Dalai Lama, whose real name is Tenzin Gyatso, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and is feted worldwide for his advocacy of independence for Tibet and other causes.
Dalai Lama has started a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh from today. This is his first official visit outside his base in Dharamsala since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The visit is also taking place just three days before the 16th round of the Corps Commander-level meeting between India and China, which is expected to begin on July 17. During his visit, the Dalai Lama is expected to visit the famous monastery at Leh.
The visit of the Tibetan spiritual leader is likely to upset China. Beijing recently criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for greeting the Dalai Lama on his 87th birthday.
PM Modi had greeted the Dalai Lama over the phone as he turned 87.
"Conveyed 87th birthday greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama over the phone earlier today. We pray for his long life and good health," PM Modi tweeted on July 6.
China had said that India should stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs.
Reacting to a question on PM Modi's greetings, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing that "the Indian side also needs to fully understand the anti-China and separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama," as reported by news agency PTI.
Also Read: Sri Lanka Crisis: Rajapaksa To Go To Saudi Arabia? Protesters Agree To Leave Official Buildings, Curfew Re-Imposed
"It needs to abide by its commitments to China on Tibet-related issues, act and speak with prudence and stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs," Mr Zhao said in response to a question from China's state-run media.
"Tibet-related affairs are China's internal affairs and brook no interference by any external forces. China firmly opposes all forms of contact between foreign officials and the Dalai Lama," he said.
In China's response, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had also given a befitting reply, saying that it has been a consistent policy of the government to consider the Dalai Lama as a guest in India.
"It is a consistent policy of the government of India to treat His Holiness Dalai Lama as an honoured guest in India and as a respected religious leader who enjoys a large following in India," Bagchi said at a weekly media briefing.
"His Holiness is accorded all due courtesies and freedom to conduct his religious and spiritual activities in India. His birthday is celebrated by many of his followers in India and abroad," Mr Bagchi said.
"The birthday greetings by the Prime Minister to his Holiness on his 87th birthday should be seen in this overall context," he said, noting that PM Modi greeted him last year as well.