Dalai Lama consecrates Buddhist monastery in Arunachal

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday consecrated a Buddhist monastery in Arunachal Pradesh's West Kameng district even as China said his state tour will fuel bilateral tensions.

Hundreds of people from across India and neighbouring Bhutan gathered at the Thupsung Dhargyeling Monastery at Dirang, 50 km from Tawang.

"It should be a centre of learning for all. There must be lots of activities," the exiled 81-year-old spiritual leader said afterwards.

Arunachal Pradesh Governor P.B. Acharya and his wife, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, assembly Speaker T.N. Thongdok, Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin and other dignitaries were present.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu's father Dorjee Khandu, who was then the Chief Minister, laid the foundation stone of the monastery in 2007.

Welcoming the Tibetan leader to Arunachal Pradesh, the Governor said his spiritual spirit and compassion will translate into positive energy and take the state towards the path of eternal peace and development.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, in her daily briefing, said Beijing's objections to the visit of the Dalai Lama had been raised with the Indian government.

--IANS

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