Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama hit out at China for opposing his proposed visit to Arunachal Pradesh next week, saying it reflected a "negative attitude".
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today hit out at China for opposing his proposed visit to Arunachal Pradesh next week, saying it reflected a "negative attitude" as his trip was solely for teaching.
The Dalai Lama said his upcoming visit to the Tawang monastery in Arunachal Pradesh was not the first one, and that he was surprised and saddened by China's criticism over it.
"I was surprised at China's criticism. If my visit creates problem, I am very sad, that's all," the Tibetan leader, on a visit here told journalists, implying that he intends to go ahead with his visit on November 8.
"... So now I think when the Chinese government (opposes)...(then they have) some sort of a negative attitude or seriousness about my visit...I am a little bit surprised," he said.
The 74-year old Nobel Peace Prize winner said his visits were "politicised too much" by the Chinese government. "Where I go is not political," he said.
Contending that he was travelling to Arunachal for teaching his beliefs, the Dalai Lama said Tawang held great memories for him, as this was his first stop 50 years ago when he was forced to flee Tibet, according to Kyodo.
India and China were recently engaged in a verbal spat over Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Arunachal over which China lays claim. China objected to his visit, but India rejected the objection, saying the Tibetan leader was free to travel anywhere in India.
New Delhi, however, has made it clear that the Dalai Lama is not supposed to indulge in political activities or discuss India-China boundary question.
The Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit Tawang monastery to deliver spiritual discourse to his followers at the invitation of local leaders and also dedicate a new hospital, built in part with funds donated by him.
He said he was going on a long pending invitation. "Now I found appropriate time, this time," he said.
Dalai Lama recently visited Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory and met with political leaders on the island, despite strong criticism from China.
Dalai Lama raised concerns over the plight of Tibetans and other ethnic minorities in China, urging journalists to visit there to assess the conditions without the presence of security officers.
"If the reality in Tibet is what the Chinese government claims, then our information is wrong. We would have to apologise and cease all our activities," he said.
"... But if it is not as what the government claims, then Beijing should take a realistic approach at solving the situation because propaganda isn't going to work," he added.
He said allowing the media to report the truth about Tibet would help China build trust with other countries and that would increase its authority in global affairs.
Although branded as a separatist trying to tear Tibet away from Chinese rule, the Dalai Lama insisted he is seeking genuine autonomy, not outright independence.
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