India has stuck to its position on the Dalai Lama

As Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama arrived in Arunachal Pradesh on a week-long visit amid opposition from China, foreign policy experts said India has stuck to its position even though the communist nation has been asserting itself on the issue.

As Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama arrived in Arunachal Pradesh on a week-long visit amid opposition from China, foreign policy experts said India has stuck to its position even though the communist nation has been asserting itself on the issue.

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Former National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra said India has done what it had been doing on the issue in the past.

"India has done what it has been doing in the past. Chinese are asserting their position. Our stated position is that as long as Dalai Lama does not involve himself in political activity, he is free to visit any part of the country he wants," he said.

Mishra, however, added that the only new thing in the whole issue is that Chinese have strongly started asserting their position on the issue.

Asked whether India has strongly asserted its position on Arunachal Pradesh, he said, "neither have we strongly asserted nor we have made any new position. We have maintained our position."

Former Foreign Secretary Muchkund Dubey wondered, "What is so unusual about his visit? Why should one get so excited over it?".

Dubey said for India, Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. He said Dalai Lama was our honoured guest and free to move anywhere in the country.