Dalai Lama India's guest, says MEA as China criticises Modi's greeting him on birthday

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said it has been a consistent policy of the government to treat the Dalai Lama as a guest in India and the PM had spoken with last year as well.

Updated on: Jul 7, 2022, 22:54:41 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

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The ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Thursday slammed criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishing Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on his 87th birthday a day ago. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said it has been a consistent policy of the government to treat the Dalai Lama as a guest in India.

File photo of ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. (ANI)

“The PM did speak with Dalai Lama last year also, it has been a consistent policy of our government to treat him as a guest in India and as a respected religious leader who enjoys a large following in India," Bagchi said.

"He has large followers in the country. His birthday is celebrated in India and abroad,” Bagchi said at a press briefing.

His statement came as China criticised Modi for greeting the Tibetan spiritual leader, saying India should stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs.

Bagchi said, "His Holiness is accorded all due courtesies and freedom to conduct his religious and spiritual activities in India… The birthday greetings by the prime minister to his Holiness on his 87th birthday should be seen in this overall context," he said, adding that Modi greeted him last year as well.

Modi greeted the Dalai Lama over the phone as he turned 87 on Wednesday. "Conveyed 87th birthday greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama over the phone earlier today. We pray for his long life and good health," Modi tweeted.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing that "the Indian side should fully recognise the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama."

He also lashed out at US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for greeting the Dalai Lama. In his greetings, Blinken said, "His Holiness brings light to his fellow Tibetans and so many around the world by promoting peace, encouraging inter-faith harmony, and advocating for the preservation of Tibetan language and culture".

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