Against the backdrop of China's reported protest
against the Dalai Lama's meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently, India Saturday said it considers the Tibetan leader an "honoured guest" but does not "encourage" him to engage in political activities.
Seeking to downplay the issue, External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna said India
considers Tibetan Autonomous Region as part of China and "that should bring down curtains on any controversy".
Asked at a joint press conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada about reports of the Chinese protest, Krishna said "India's position (on Tibet and the Dalai Lama) has been stated repeatedly, unequivocally and categorically."
He said he had told the Chinese Foreign Minister earlier that the Dalai Lama is an
"honoured guest" of India and a "spiritual leader" respected by millions of people in the country.
"We do not encourage anyone to get into politics or any other activity that could affect relations between the two country", Krishna said.
China has been protesting whenever any Indian leader meets the Dalai Lama or visits
Arunachal Pradesh.