Beijing has no right to threaten Delhi on Dalai Lama's movement: Arunachal CM

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday said China has "no right to threaten" India over Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama's movements in Arunachal Pradesh, which, he said, shares a border with "Tibet and not China".

China on Wednesday reacted angrily to the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh and said that by ignoring Beijing's concerns over the issue, New Delhi has caused "serious damage" to bilateral ties.

"Beijing has no right to threaten Delhi on the Dalai Lama's movement within the country as India shares boundary with Tibet and not China," Khandu told IANS.

The 81-year-old Nobel Peace Laureate is on week-long visit to Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims to be part of south Tibet.

"China has no business telling us what to do and what not to do because it is not our next-door neighbour," Khandu stated.

The Chief Minister said the McMahon Line in reality demarcates the boundary between India and Tibet.

The McMahon Line, an imaginary border now known as the Line of Actual Control separates the India-China border, is just 25 kilometres away from Tawang. The Dalai Lama is expected to reach Tawang on April 7 and will be there till April 12.

"Despite the inclement weather, he wanted to reach Tawang, and the people are all there to receive him," said Khandu, who is accompanying the Tibetan spiritual leader, said.

The Dalai Lama had slipped out of Norbulinka, his summer residence in Lhasa, to India via Tawang of the erstwhile North East Frontier Agency in March 17, 1959.

This is the Dalai Lama's seventh visit to Arunachal Pradesh.

His first visit to this mountainous state was in 1983 and the last trip he made was in 2009, which coincided with his 50 years since he crossed through Arunachal Pradesh.

Earlier in the day, the Dalai Lama delivered a public talk in the high school auditorium, where he said intelligence was a necessary component for compassion. He said without first being a better human being, no one can claim to be a true follower of any faith.

"Education is must today as it inculcates a sense of oneness and teaches to forgive and forget the wrongdoings of others and brings positivity. In a truly educated world there will be no hatred, no war and peace will prevail everywhere," he said.

Later in the evening, the Dalai Lama and his entourage were accorded a rousing reception at Thupsung Dhargyelling monastery in Dirang.

People from all walks of life paid their obeisance to him throughout the 40 km stretch of road from Bomdila to Dirang.

The Dalai Lama entered Arunachal Pradesh by road on Tuesday due to inclement weather.

--IANS

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