Dharamshala:
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao on Saturday had a meeting with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, nearly a week after National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon concluded his visit to China as Prime Minister's special envoy.
Tenzin Taklha, a spokesman for the Dalai Lama, said the meeting took place at the Nobel Laureate's mansion in Mcleodganj, the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
Taklha however, refused to give details of the meeting, but Tibetan sources said the two discussed issues of mutual interest.
The sources said the meeting lasted for about an hour and that Rao, a former Ambassador to China, was accompanied by Gautam Bambawale, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the External Affairs Ministry.
It was Rao's maiden visit to Dharamshala--a picturesque hill station in Himachal Pradesh-- after she became Foreign Secretary last year.
The Dalai Lama celebrated his 75th birthday earlier in the week.
Much significance is being attached to Rao's visit since it came in the backdrop of Menon's tour to Beijing early this week during which he had met senior Chinese leaders.
Menon had met Chinese prime minister Wen Jiabao, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and influential state councillor Dai Bingguo, who is also the designated Chinese representative to discuss Sino-India border issue.
Issues relating to the activities of Tibetan exiles living in India and security for the Dalai Lama are understood to have figured in the meeting. The Dalai has been living in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959.
More than one lakh Tibetan exiles live in 19 different settlements across India.
China has been objecting to the activities of the Tibetan exiles and India had assured its neighbour that it will not allow its soil to be used for anti-China activity.
China has in the past also accused the Dalai of seeking to stir up tensions between New Delhi and Beijing.
Tenzin Taklha, a spokesman for the Dalai Lama, said the meeting took place at the Nobel Laureate's mansion in Mcleodganj, the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
Taklha however, refused to give details of the meeting, but Tibetan sources said the two discussed issues of mutual interest.
The sources said the meeting lasted for about an hour and that Rao, a former Ambassador to China, was accompanied by Gautam Bambawale, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the External Affairs Ministry.
It was Rao's maiden visit to Dharamshala--a picturesque hill station in Himachal Pradesh-- after she became Foreign Secretary last year.
The Dalai Lama celebrated his 75th birthday earlier in the week.
Much significance is being attached to Rao's visit since it came in the backdrop of Menon's tour to Beijing early this week during which he had met senior Chinese leaders.
Menon had met Chinese prime minister Wen Jiabao, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and influential state councillor Dai Bingguo, who is also the designated Chinese representative to discuss Sino-India border issue.
Issues relating to the activities of Tibetan exiles living in India and security for the Dalai Lama are understood to have figured in the meeting. The Dalai has been living in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959.
More than one lakh Tibetan exiles live in 19 different settlements across India.
China has been objecting to the activities of the Tibetan exiles and India had assured its neighbour that it will not allow its soil to be used for anti-China activity.
China has in the past also accused the Dalai of seeking to stir up tensions between New Delhi and Beijing.
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