While tensions between India and China spill over with visa controversies on both sides, Beijing has now blamed the Dalai Lama for trying to damage ties.
On Tuesday, Beijing labelled the Tibetan spiritual leader’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh a ‘separatist’ anti-China action. “The Dalai Lama often tells lies... he’s a national separatist. This attempt to damage relations between China and the relevant countries will not succeed,’’ said foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu at a media briefing.
Beijing has expressed ‘firm opposition’ to the Dalai Lama’s November 8 visit.
The two nations are also struggling to resolve visa and trade spats. When HT asked whether China’s policy of separate visas for Kashmiris would be permanent, Ma said China’s visa policy in ‘India-controlled Kashmir’ remains ‘consistent and unchanged’.
New Delhi says these Chinese visas undermine India’s sovereignty over Kashmir.
In Beijing, the state-run China Daily newspaper reported that India’s policy requiring employment visas for unskilled workers has ‘driven out’ some Chinese workers and a ‘concerned’ Chinese government has called for more ‘consideration’ of businesses and about 25,000 affected Chinese workers.