Dalai Lama’s visit to India angers China as Beijing seeks to suppress separatist activities
Beijing has expressed its concerns to New Delhi on numerous occasions and urged India to avoid giving the Dalai Lama a platform
India said on Tuesday that China should not interfere in its internal affairs, as the Dalai Lama began a weeklong visit to India’s remote northeast that Beijing has protested.
The Tibetan spiritual leader was greeted by cheering supporters as he arrived in Arunachal Pradesh.
China claims the partly ethnically Tibetan Himalayan state as its own territory, and warned last month of “severe damage” to relations with India and increased regional instability if the Dalai Lama proceeds with his trip.
Indian Junior Home Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday that New Delhi respects Beijing’s “one China” policy and expects China to accept India’s policies.
“Arunachal Pradesh is an inseparable part of India and China should not object to the Dalai Lama’s visit and interfere in India’s internal affairs,” he said.
The Dalai Lama is visiting the state at the invitation of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, Rijiju said.