China warns India, says Dalai Lama's visit will have negative impact on border dispute

Targeting India once again over Dalai Lama’s Arunachal Visit, China on Wednesday warned India that the Spiritual leader’s visit will have “negative impact” on the settlement of the border dispute and blamed New Delhi of violating its commitment on the Tibet issue.

Chinese foreign ministry also said Beijing will take “further action” to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and slammed the “provocative” statements of the Tibetan spiritual leader and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who had said that the state only shares its border with Tibet, and not with China.

In the strongest comments since April 4, when the Dalai Lama began his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as Southern Tibet, foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said their “provocative” statements “exceeded the scope of religious activities” as stated by India.

Lu said despite China’s objection, India insisted on arranging the Dalai Lama’s visit “in the disputed areas of the eastern section of the China-India boundary”. He also said the “some specific Indian official” had indulged in provocative political statement but did not name Pema Khandu.

“It shows that the activity by the 14^th Dalai Lama already exceeded so called scope of religious activities claimed by the Indian side,” Lu said.

“What India has done is violated the solemn commitment on Tibet-related issues and it also has negative impact on proper settlement of the territorial disputes between the two side through negotiations,” it said.

Also Read: Dalai Lama says China's bid to name my successor to undermine the Tibetans' cause is nonsense

“China has lodged representations with the Indian side (and) we will take further action to safeguard the territorial sovereignty and national security,” he said without elaborating what measures Beijing would take.

Lu said the Dalai Lama’s “disgraceful performance” will “have negative impact on proper settlement of the territorial dispute between India and China.”

China is opposed to the Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, particularly Tawang, which it considers as Southern Tibet. Its media and foreign ministry has repeatedly aired its opposition to the Tibetan Buddhist leader’s visit to the region. 

Also Read | Dalai Lama not primary problem in Sino-India relations in long run: Ex-Chinese diplomat