As Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai lama is set to begin his tour of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday, India issued a statement directed towards China saying that no artificial controversy should be created around his visit to the State. Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who comes from Arunachal Pradesh, on Tuesday asked China not to interfere in India’s internal matters as the State is its inseparable part of India. He added that India respects the “One-China” policy and expects Beijing to reciprocate.
India also pointed out that this is not the first time the Dalai lama is visiting the N-E State. He had visited it many times in the past and his last visit to Arunachal Pradesh was in November 2009.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday, “The Government has clearly stated on several occasions that His Holiness Dalai lama is a revered religious leader, who is deeply respected by the Indian people. No additional colour should be ascribed to his religious and spiritual activities and visits to various States of India.
The Government, therefore, urges that no artificial controversy should be created around his present visit to Arunachal Pradesh.”
The Dalai lama was scheduled to reach Tawang from Guwahati by road on Tuesday, but his arrival was delayed due to inclement weather.
China has been constantly raising objections to the Dalai lama’s visit to Tawang. In fact, China has objected to even the Indian President, Prime Minister or Defence Minister’s visit to the State, which Beijing claims as part of Tibet. The Chinese Foreign Ministry recently warned New Delhi that the Dalai lama’s visit to Arunachal will cause “serious damage” to bilateral ties.
Despite China’s aggressive posturing, India has never stopped the Dalai lama’s free movement within the country, including Arunachal Pradesh. India maintains that he is a guest of India and he can freely travel anywhere he wants within the country.
“There is no political angle behind His Holiness’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh. It is completely religious. Arunachal Pradesh is an inseparable part of India and China should not object to his visit and interfere in India’s internal affairs,” Rijiju said. “We respect Beijing’s ‘One-China’ policy and we expect China to reciprocate,” he said.
The Minister said the State is “not a disputed territory” and is part of the Union of India and a “full-fledged State”.
“There may be some differences of opinion between India and China over the boundary. But China has no locus standi over Arunachal Pradesh,” he said.
The Dalai lama will hold religious discourse with devotees in Tawang, Bomdial and other areas. The Minister said the Dalai lama is visiting Arunachal at the invitation of the people of the State. “As a democratic country, India can’t interfere in the religious affairs of any community,” he said.
He said the people of the State want good neighbourly relations with China and want reopening of trading points along the McMahon line which have been closed since 1962. “The trading points were beneficial. People of Arunachal Pradesh are looking toward a cooperative attitude from China,” he said.
The Dalai lama will also visit Rijiju’s village in West Kameng district where he will inaugurate a Buddhist monastery.