New Delhi:
Foreign Minister SM Krishna has responded to the objections raised by China to the Dalai Lama's meeting with the Prime Minister in New Delhi recently.
He said that India's position on the Dalai Lama has been stated clearly to the Chinese Foreign Minister that Tibet is an integral part of China and that the Dalai Lama was an honoured guest of India.
"The Indian position has been stated repeatedly and categorically. I have mentioned this to the Chinese Foreign Minister also - that the Dalai Lama is an honoured guest, a spiritual leader who is held as such by millions and we don't encourage anyone to get into political activities which will concern the relationship between the two sides. We have made it abundantly clear that Tibet is a part of China," Krishna said.
The Dalai Lama had called on Manmohan Singh August 11, the first meeting between two since the ruling UPA returned to power over a year ago.
The Chinese government has reportedly conveyed its objection over the meeting through diplomatic channels.
The Dalai Lama heads a Tibetan government-in-exile that is based in the Indian hill town of Dharamsala. He fled to India in 1959 after an abortive anti-Communist uprising in his homeland.
He said that India's position on the Dalai Lama has been stated clearly to the Chinese Foreign Minister that Tibet is an integral part of China and that the Dalai Lama was an honoured guest of India.
"The Indian position has been stated repeatedly and categorically. I have mentioned this to the Chinese Foreign Minister also - that the Dalai Lama is an honoured guest, a spiritual leader who is held as such by millions and we don't encourage anyone to get into political activities which will concern the relationship between the two sides. We have made it abundantly clear that Tibet is a part of China," Krishna said.
The Dalai Lama had called on Manmohan Singh August 11, the first meeting between two since the ruling UPA returned to power over a year ago.
The Chinese government has reportedly conveyed its objection over the meeting through diplomatic channels.
The Dalai Lama heads a Tibetan government-in-exile that is based in the Indian hill town of Dharamsala. He fled to India in 1959 after an abortive anti-Communist uprising in his homeland.
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