Obama has taken up Tibet issue with China seriously: Dalai Lama

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, today appeared satisfied with US president Barack Obama taking up the issue of Tibet with China during his talks with Chinese leader Hu Jintao.

The Dalai Lama said Obama's comments on Tibet during his recent visit to China did not vary with the Tibetans' stated position, accepting it as an autonomous region of China.

"He, actually publicly, as well as behind the scenes, has really taken up the issue of Tibet with Chinese leaders very seriously," the Dalai Lama told reporters here.

During his meeting with Hu on November 17, Obama among other things also discussed the sensitive Tibet issue and sought early resumption of talks between China and representatives of the Dalai Lama.

After holding talks, Obama had said, "We did note that while we recognise that Tibet is part of the People's Republic of China, the US supports the early resumption of dialogue" between the Dalai Lama's representatives and Beijing.