Dalai Lama's Tawang visit: India says it respects 'one-China' policy, but expects reciprocal attitude

New Delhi: China should refrain from meddling in the internal affairs of India, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated on Tuesday amid continuous Beijing's objections to the Dalai Lama's trip to Arunachal Pradesh.

The Minister of State for Home said Arunachal Pradesh is India's inseparable part.

The Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh is completely religious and no political purpose should be derived from it, said Rijiju.

He further said that India respects 'one-China' policy, but also expects Beijing's reciprocal attitude.

"There is no political angle behind His Holiness's visit to Arunachal Pradesh. It is completely religious. Arunachal Pradesh is an inseparable part of India and China should not object to his visit and interfere in India's internal affairs," he told reporters here.

The minister, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, said the state is "not a disputed territory" and is part of the Union of India and a "full-fledged state".

"There may be some differences of opinion between India and China over the boundary. But China has no locus standi over Arunachal Pradesh," he said.

Rijiju said talks between New Delhi and Beijing on the boundary dispute are going on and the people of Arunachal Pradesh are expecting that soon it would be resolved.

"I appeal to China not to rake up Arunachal Pradesh issue unnecessarily as a status of the state can't be questioned," he said.

Meanwhile, the External Affairs Ministry said today that no "artificial controversy" should be created around the Tibetan spiritual leader's visit.

The Ministry also asserted that the government has clearly stated on several occasions that the Dalai Lama is a revered religious leader, who is deeply respected by the Indian people.

"No additional colour should be ascribed to his religious and spiritual activities and visits to various states of India," the Ministry said in a release.

The government, therefore, urges that no "artificial controversy" should be created around his present visit to Arunachal Pradesh, it said.

During his Arunachal Pradesh trip, the Dalai Lama will hold religious discourse with devotees in Tawang, Bomdial and other areas.

The Dalai Lama, who was set to reach Tawang today, was forced to change his schedule due to bad weather, and will now reach Bomdila by evening. The Tibetan Spiritual leader will make a public appearance in Bomdila tomorrow. After staying there for two days, he will proceed to Tawang.

 

China has been voicing its displeasure over the visit of the Tibetan leader to Tawang for a Buddhist festival, saying by allowing it, India was risking "serious damage" in the ties between the two nations.

China considers Arunachal Pradesh to be a part of southernmost Tibet.

India has maintained that the Dalai Lama is free to travel anywhere in the country and has visited the northeastern state in the past too.