Chinese expert accuses India of using Dalai Lama's north east visit to upset Beijing

A Chinese expert has accused India of deliberately using the nine-day visit of Tibetan spiritual leader -- The Dalai Lama -- to the north-eastern part of the country to upset the government in Beijing, and urged New Delhi to deliver on its political commitments on Tibet-related issues.

The Global Times quoted the expert from the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, who requested anonymity, as saying that the 14th Dalai Lama's visit to the controversial area, especially Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, will affect relations between the two nations.

He warned that Beijing could take steps against any government that invites the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama began his nine-day visit to "Arunachal Pradesh," called South Tibet in China, on Tuesday.

The expert said Tawang is the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, which gives the place religious meaning to Tibetans.

India has maintained that the visit to the north east has no political angle behind it, and is entirely religious in its objectives.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang had last week said that Beijing is firmly opposed to any visit by the Dalai Lama to the disputed border region between China and India.