Recently, an American delegation met Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was also included in the team that met the Dalai Lama. The Chinese government had expressed strong objection to this meeting. However, today on Friday, India has given a blunt answer to China in the matter of Dalai Lama. The Indian Foreign Ministry has said that the Dalai Lama is a respected religious leader.
What did India say?
On Friday, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that I would like to reiterate India’s position on His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He is a respected religious leader and the people of India deeply respect him. The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said that the Dalai Lama has been given due courtesy and freedom to conduct his religious and spiritual activities.
Why did the controversy start?
Michael McCaul, chairman of the US Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, who met the Dalai Lama, had said that the Tibetan people have the right to self-determination. He also stressed that they (Tibetans) have a unique culture and religion and they should be able to practice their religion freely. This is why we have come here today, defying the ‘Communist Party of China’.
