Arunachal CM invites Dalai Lama, says I am also unhappy about Tibet

Mon, May 12 02:52 AM

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, whose state is at the centre of a boundary row between India and China, today met the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala and said the Tibetan spiritual leader had accepted his invitation to visit the state.

In remarks that are bound to ruffle feathers in Beijing, Dorjee Khandu, responding to queries from reporters, said "we are unhappy over the present situation inside Tibet". Asked about the boundary talks, he said China was making an "untenable claim": "There is no question of a border dispute with China. Tawang is an integral part of India."

Khandu, who led a nine-member delegation comprising state legislators and MP Kiren Rijiju, said the Dalai Lama had agreed to visit Arunachal Pradesh in November or December this year. He denied discussing his state with the Dalai Lama. "No discussion was held with the Dalai Lama regarding Arunachal Pradesh. We are here to meet the spiritual leader," said Khandu.

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