New Delhi: After a US Congressional delegation met with Dalai Lama earlier this week, India on Friday reiterated its public position that the Tibetan spiritual leader has the freedom to conduct “his religious and spiritual activities”.
A seven-member US Congressional delegation, led by chair of House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul, travelled to Dharamshala, where they met with the Dalai Lama and addressed the Tibetan parliament.
China had issued multiple warnings before and during the trip, protesting any contact with the Dalai Lama.
In their public meetings, the US lawmakers had advocated for Tibetan self-determination and asserted that Chinese interference in Dalai Lama’s succession would not be acceptable.
The travelling delegation moved to Delhi, where they met with the external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the weekly media briefing on Friday, ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked if India endorsed the statements made by the US delegation on Indian soil and whether New Delhi continued to adhere to the ‘one-China policy’.
He didn’t answer the questions separately but gave an omnibus reply.
“The Government of India’s position on His Holiness the Dalai Lama is clear and consistent. He is a revered religious leader and is deeply respected by the people of India. His Holiness is accorded due courtesies and freedom to conduct his religious and spiritual activities,” he said. The missing phrase was, of course, any mention of political activities.
As has been the norm since 2009, the MEA has not publicly reiterated the ‘One China’ policy, but neither has it been repudiated.
On the US lawmakers’ remarks, Jaiswal passed the ball. “As regards the statements by the US delegation, I would refer you to the US side and it is for them to answer.”
Articulating China’s objections, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian had said on Thursday that it would “brook no external interference”. “We urge the US to fully recognise the importance and high sensitivity of Xizang-related issues, earnestly respect the core interests of China, abide by the commitments it has made to China on Xizang-related issues, have no contact with the Dalai group in any form, and stop sending the wrong signal to the world,” he said.
