Dalai Lama’s Arunachal visit will damage ties, China warns India

BEIJING: China on Friday warned India that bilateral ties as well as peace and stability of border areas would suffer “damage” if it allows Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims is part of southern Tibet.

“We are seriously concerned about the relevant information,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said here, while replying to a question about reports that India has permitted Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh at the Chief Minister’s invitation.

“China’s position on the eastern section of the ChinaIndia border is consistent and clear. The Dalai clique is engaged in anti-china separatist activity and has very disgraceful behaviour on issues relating to China-india boundary question,” Lu said.

The Indian side is well aware of the severity of the Dalai Lama issue as well as the sensitivity of the China-india boundary question, he said.

“Under such circumstances, India’s invitation to the Dalai Lama for activity in the disputed areas between China and India will only damage peace, stability of the border areas as well as the bilateral relationship between China and India,” Lu said.

“We require the Indian side to honour the political commitment to Tibet-related issues and abide by the bilateral consensus on boundary question,” the official said.