India has warned China against creating "an artificial controversy" around the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, pointing out that the exiled 81-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader has visited the north-eastern state in the past, and that "no additional colour should be ascribed to his religious and spiritual activities and visits to various states of India."
China claims the region in the eastern Himalayas as "South Tibet", and regularly denounces foreign leaders' visits to the region as attempts to bolster India's territorial claims. India has said firmly that Arunachal is an integral part of India and that China should respect that.
Delhi says the trip to Arunachal is a religious one and no political meaning should be attached to it.
The Dalai Lama has also described his visit as aimed at promoting religious harmony.
"I still feel the feeling of that time," he said.
On Sunday, the Dalai Lama recalled the warm welcome he received when he arrived and the Indian government offered him a base in the hill town of Dharamsala, where he was allowed to set up a government-in-exile.
(with inputs from agencies)
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