Dalai Lama's Arunachal visit: China says ties with India can be severely damaged

Dalai Lama's Arunachal visit: China says ties with India can be severely damaged

The 14th Dalai Lama's ongoing tour to Arunachal Pradesh has been condemned by China which claimed that the visit can seriously damage its ties with India.

Çhina has also warned that it will take "necessary measures" to defend its territorial sovereignty and interests after India "obstinately" allowed the Dalai Lama to visit the "disputed" parts of Arunachal Pradesh.

China claims parts of Arunachal Pradesh as southern Tibet and is highly sensitive to Dalai Lama's visit to the Tawang region. It was by far China’s strongest reaction since the time it had begun to warn India about the impending visit.

Dalai Lama's Arunachal visit: China says ties with India can be severely damaged

The 81-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader reached Bomdila in West Kameng district on Tuesday, starting his nine-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh.

India claimed that it has never interfered in Beijing's affairs and respected the"One China" policy. Thus, China should also not interfere in India's internal affairs or object to the Dalai Lama's visit.

Dalai Lama's Arunachal visit: China says ties with India can be severely damaged

The Tibetan spiritual leader had an emotional reunion with one of the five Assam Rifles guards who escorted him to India during his escape from Tibet in March 1959, on Sunday.

Dalai Lama's Arunachal visit: China says ties with India can be severely damaged

The Dalai Lama has however rubbished Chinese claims that he was being used by India against them apart from urging China to give Tibet meaningful “self-rule” and “autonomy“.

Dalai Lama's Arunachal visit: China says ties with India can be severely damaged

The Dalai Lama said the warm-hearted welcome he received on his arrival at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh 58 years ago was a "moment of freedom" for him. Chinese troops entered Tibet in October 1950 overcoming the resistance from the Tibetan army and later the Chinese control over the area was formalised in 1951.