The Dalai Lama congratulated President Barack Obama on joining him as a Nobel Peace Prize winner and called for the US leader to champion "freedom and liberty."
The exiled Tibetan leader, who is in Washington, sent Obama a letter of congratulations even though the president, in an apparent bid not to upset China, avoiding meeting the Buddhist monk during his weeklong visit.
The Dalai Lama, who won the prestigious award in 1989, told Obama that the Nobel committee "recognised your approach towards resolving international conflicts through the wisdom and power of dialogue."
He praised Obama's advocacy for ridding the world of nuclear weapons and improving the environment.
"I have maintained that the founding fathers of the United States have made this country the greatest democracy and a champion of freedom and liberty," the Dalai Lama wrote.
"It is, therefore, important for today's American leaders to adopt principled leadership based on these high ideals. Such an approach will not only enhance the reputation of the United States, but also contribute tremendously to reducing tension in the world."
The Dalai Lama's trip is his first to Washington since 1991 in which he will not meet with the US president.
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