Government has reportedly asked “senior leaders” and “government functionaries” of the Centre and states to stay away from events of Dalai Lama.
Amid Indian attempts to mend ties with China after Doklam standoff, the government has reportedly asked “senior leaders” and “government functionaries” of the Centre and states to stay away from events of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama.
According to a report by the Indian Express, Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha issued a directive late last month telling “senior leaders” and “government functionaries” of the Centre and states that it is “not desirable” to participate in the events of the Tibetan leadership in exile.
His directive came 4 days after Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale's note to Sinha on February 2. A day before leaving for China, Gokhale had requested Sinha to issue a “classified circular advisory advising all Ministries/Departments of Government of India as well as State Governments not to accept any invitation or to participate in the proposed commemorative events”.
In a statement today, the Ministry of External Affairs today said that the Dalai Lama has been "accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities in India."
"Government of India's position on His Holiness the Dalai Lama is clear and consistent. He is a revered religious leader and is deeply respected by the people of India. There is no change in that position. His Holiness is accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities in India," the ministry said in a statement.
“We understand that this includes a large public event titled ‘Thank You India’ being organised at Thyagaraj Sports Complex in New Delhi on 1 April, 2018. The Dalai Lama set-up also intends to invite a number of Indian dignitaries. These are likely to be followed up by additional events in Delhi as well as other States of India,” Gokhale said in his note.
“The proposed period will be a very sensitive time in the context of India’s relations with China. Participation by senior leaders or government functionaries, either from the Central Government or State Governments, is not desirable, and should be discouraged,” Gokhale wrote.
Gokhale visited Beijing on Feb 23 and held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussed a range of issues amidst continuing tensions in bilateral ties.
Four days after Gokhale's note, Sinha wrote to secretaries and heads of government departments saying that participation in these events “should be discouraged” and “accordingly, you are requested to ensure appropriate action in the matter”.
As per the report, he also quoted Gokhale’s note to underline “the sensitive nature of the subject”.
Last year, China had objected to Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh,
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