Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 2:02am
India issues warning to Dalai Lama
India's Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee warned the Dalai Lama not to engage in political activity that would damage India's ties to China. He also stressed that the exiled spiritual leader is still welcome in India.
The comments, which reiterate Delhi's position, come at a sensitive time, following anti-China protests in India. Correspondents say the protests are embarrassing for the Indian government which is improving ties with China, BBC News online reported Wednesday.
Speaking on Indian television, Mukherjee said, "India will continue to offer him all hospitality, but during his stay in India, they should not do any political activity, any action that can adversely affect relations between India and China." This policy has been in place since 1959, when the Dalai Lama fled his homeland after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.
He settled in the north Indian hill town of Dharamsala, which has been the site of recent protests against China. Protests were also held outside the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, after which Beijing summoned the Indian ambassador.
India assured China that the Olympic torch will pass safely through the country. The country's soccer captain, however, refused to carry the torch.
The comments, which reiterate Delhi's position, come at a sensitive time, following anti-China protests in India. Correspondents say the protests are embarrassing for the Indian government which is improving ties with China, BBC News online reported Wednesday.
Speaking on Indian television, Mukherjee said, "India will continue to offer him all hospitality, but during his stay in India, they should not do any political activity, any action that can adversely affect relations between India and China." This policy has been in place since 1959, when the Dalai Lama fled his homeland after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.
He settled in the north Indian hill town of Dharamsala, which has been the site of recent protests against China. Protests were also held outside the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, after which Beijing summoned the Indian ambassador.
India assured China that the Olympic torch will pass safely through the country. The country's soccer captain, however, refused to carry the torch.