New Delhi: The 14th Dalai Lama will visit Leh on July 15. This will mark his first visit in around four years to the region. The visit comes amid a deterioration of Indo-China ties over the standoff in eastern Ladakh. In the past, China has objected to Dalai Lama’s visit to Leh, including his visit in 2018.
The duration of his stay in Leh is not official as of now. However, according to a report by The Indian Express, the Buddhist monk will stay for about a month at Choglamsar village on the bank of the Indus river. He is said to impart Buddhist teachings in the region. These teachings are known as summer teachings in Leh.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian in a media briefing in Beijing said that India should recognise the anti-China and separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama. He also said that India should speak and act prudently and stop interfering in China’s internal affairs by the means of Tibet-related issues. Replying to these comments, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “It is a consistent policy of the Government of India to treat His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, as an honoured guest in India and as a respected religious leader who enjoys a large following in India. His Holiness is accorded all due courtesies and freedom to conduct his religious and spiritual activities in India… His Holiness’s birthday is celebrated by many of his followers in India and abroad. The birthday greetings by Hon’ble PM to his Holiness on his 87th birthday should be seen in this overall context.”
Conveyed 87th birthday greetings to His Holiness the @DalaiLama over phone earlier today. We pray for his long life and good health.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 6, 2022
Dalai Lama resigned from the post of Tibet’s political head in 2011, but somehow he still remains the centre of Tibetian politics. The monk recently celebrated his 87th birthday and received wishes from many Indians, including PM Narendra Modi and Jairam Thakur, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.
