Dalai Lama surprised over Chinese claims on Tawang
Press Trust Of India / Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh) Nov 09, 2009, 01:00 IST
Arriving in this border town to a rousing reception on a visit resented by China, the Dalai Lama today rebuffed the country for objecting to his trip to Arunachal Pradesh and expressed surprise over its claims to Tawang, a revered seat of Buddhism.
The 74-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader, who is visiting this north-eastern state after a gap of six years drawing international attention in the wake of Chinese protests, also rejected Beijing’s charge that he was encouraging a separatist movement, calling it baseless.
The Nobel Laureate characterised his “emotional” visit to Tawang, which has strong ties with Tibet, as non-political. “It is totally baseless on the part of the Chinese communist government to say that I am encouraging a separatist movement. My visit to Tawang is non-political and aimed at promoting universal brotherhood and nothing else,” he said.
The Dalai Lama said the People’s Liberation Army of China had occupied Tawang and nearly reached Bom Dila during the India-China war in 1962.
“But the then Chinese government declared a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew (its forces). Now the Chinese have got different views. This is something which I really don’t know. I am a little bit surprised,” he said in a clear reference to Chinese claims over Tawang.
The Dalai Lama was talking to reporters after opening a museum at the 400-year-old Tawang Monastery here.
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