The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai lama on Wednesday emphatically said that India has never used him against China, remarks that came amid protests by Beijing against his ongoing visit to Arunachal Pradesh.
The Dalai lama also urged China to give Tibet meaningful “self-rule” and “autonomy”.
“There are many people in China who love India. I am the longest guest of the Indian Government and India has taken full care of me. India has never used me against China.
“I am a messenger of the ancient Indian thought and I talk about ahinsa, peace, harmony and secular ethics wherever I go,” the spiritual leader told reporters in Bomdila, on the second day of his week-long visit to the State.
He added, “Many Chinese love India but there are some narrow minded politicians as I have mentioned, they consider me as a demon.”
He also said that there were 400 million people in Tibet who want more autonomy and not independence.
“China should give us meaningful autonomy,” he said.
Meanwhile, the people of the State have welcomed the Dalai lama with open arms. The people of Dirang thronged the roads through which the Dalai lama passed just to get a glimpse of him or touch him.