Dalai Lama in informal talks with China over possible return to Tibet

The Dalai Lama has hinted that he is in informal talks with China over his possible return to Tibet after more than half a century in exile.

The Washington Post reports that the Dalai Lama, 79, sat down for an interview in his temple in the north Indian town of Dharmsala before a celebration of the 25th anniversary of his Nobel Peace Prize, after a month of media speculation of a thaw between the exiled leader and the Chinese government.

The Dalai Lama also praised Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying that he was a more "realistic" and "open-minded" leader than his predecessors.

He said that he wished for the problem to be solved peacefully with mutual benefit.

Tensions between Tibet and China have been going on for years now.

The Dalai Lama fled to India during the 1959 Tibet uprising.