By IANS
New Delhi : China has appreciated the Indian government’s stand of not allowing its ministers and officials to attend a function held here to honour the Dalai Lama for winning the US Congressional medal.
“The Dalai Lama is trying to split China. We expect a friend not to encourage the Dalai Lama to engage in political activities,” Chinese envoy Sun Yuxi told reporters Wednesday.
“The Dalai Lama says he is a religious leader. But that’s a cover for engaging in political activities.”
India recognises Tibet as a part of China and does not allow the Dalai Lama, who has been living in the country since 1959, to engage in political activities.
A circular issued by Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrashekhar had asked members of Manmohan Singh’s council of ministers to stay away from the Nov 3 function to felicitate the exiled Tibetan leader.
None of the ministers attended the function. Former prime minister I.K. Gujral and B.N. Singh, an MP of Janata Dal-United, were, however, present.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Beijing in January.