With a war of words escalating between India and China over the visit of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh, Chinese media on Thursday warned that Beijing could engage in a geopolitical game with India.

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A reaction from the Chinese media comes a day after China lodged a protest with India's Ambassador in Beijing Vijay Gokhale for "obstinately" allowing the Dalai Lama.

Stating that with a GDP several times higher than that of India, military capabilities that can reach the Indian Ocean and having good relations with India's peripheral nations, state-run Chinese tabloid Global Times asked, "Coupled with the fact that India's turbulent northern state borders China, if China engages in a geopolitical game with India, will Beijing lose to New Delhi?" 

The daily also called the move to allow Dalai Lama's visit 'clumsy and rude'. "The Dalai Lama is a highly politicised symbol in China's diplomacy. For any country, its attitude toward the Dalai Lama almost affects the entire relationship with China," it added.

"If New Delhi ruins the Sino-India ties and the two countries turn into open rivals, can India afford the consequence?," questioned the daily saying, India has benefited from the good momentum of bilateral relationship as much as China.

However, Global Times also said that China considers India as a friendly neighbour and partner and it has never provoked bilateral disputes or made any pressing demand on India over the Dalai Lama. "New Delhi should respond to Beijing's goodwill with goodwill," it added.  

Unfazed by Beijing s objections to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the Dalai said, "Many Chinese love India but there are some narrow minded politicians as I have mentioned, they consider me as a demon."Articulating the Tibetan stand, the Dalai said, "We are not seeking independence. we are willing to remain within the People's Republic of China." 

India has said that no additional colour should be ascribed to his religious and spiritual activities and visits to various states of India. It also reiterated the government's position that the Dalai Lama is a revered religious leader who is deeply respected by the Indian people.

During his visit to the northeastern state, the Dalai Lama will hold religious discourse with devotees in Tawang, Bomdila and other areas.

The Dalai Lama had last visited Arunachal Pradesh in November 2009.