Soon after spiritual leader the Dalai Lama asserted that India had never used him against China, the latter lodged an official protest with India’s Ambassador in Beijing, Vijay Gokhale against his visit to Arunachal Pradesh. China affirmed that by letting Dalai Lama travel to Arunachal Pradesh, India had made some “serious damage” to Indo-China bilateral ties.
“India in disregard to China’s concerns obstinately arranged the Dalai Lama’s visit to the disputed part of the eastern part of China-India border, causing serious damage to China’s interests and China-India relations,” Chinese foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said while speaking to the media.
“Arranging his visit to those sensitive and disputed areas not only runs counter to the Indian side’s commitment to the issues related to Tibet but also escalate disputes over the border area,” she added.
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju affirmed that India had never intervened in China’s policies and that Dalai Lama’s visit was only religious.
Facing opposition from China, Dalai Lama affirmed that he didn’t mind even if he was considered as a demon. “Physically, for the last over 50 years, my body is surviving on Indian ‘dal’ and ‘chapati’. So, physically and mentally I am an Indian. I am the longest guest of the government of India for the last 58 years and am now paying back for that gesture by becoming the messenger of Indian culture,” he said.
State-run Chinese media also claimed that India was using Dalai Lama’s visit to upset Beijing, China and Delhi should deliver its political commitments.
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