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Dalai Lama’s Arunachal visit from today

New Delhi: After a week-long visit to Japan, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama returned here on Saturday, a day ahead of his trip to Arunachal Pradesh.

The Dalai Lama did not speak to waiting journalists at the Indira Gandhi International Airport where he arrived amid tight security.

He will undertake a week-long visit to Arunachal Pradesh despite objections by China. In Arunachal, he will be in Itanagar, Tawang and Bomdila, which have already geared for the long-awaited high-profile visit.

China has been opposing the visit of the 74-year-old exiled Tibetan leader to the north-eastern State, but India has made it clear that the “honoured” guest was free to go anywhere in the country.

The Dalai Lama has criticised China for objecting to the visit, saying it reflected “negative” attitude, as his trip was not political.

China has said the visit “further exposes” the anti-China and “separatist nature” of the ‘Dalai clique.’

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has said the Dalai Lama was causing disharmony in India-China relations.

“I was surprised at China’s criticism. If my visit creates problem, I am very sad, that’s all,” the Nobel laureate said in Tokyo last week.

Curbs on scribes

A number of foreign journalists, intending to cover the Dalai Lama’s visit, may not be able to do so as their applications for special permits are still under process.

At least 19 journalists, 14 of them based in India and five abroad, have applied to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for permission to travel to Arunachal to cover the visit. Asked about the status of the applications, MEA sources merely said these were under “process.”

Some of the foreign media houses have sent the local correspondents to cover the event.

The Tibetan spiritual leader will be undertaking a week-long visit to Arunachal Pradesh, which is being objected to by China as it lays claim over the state.

As per the rules, foreigners have to approach the MEA for Restricted Area Permit to travel to the sensitive State. For Indians, an Inner Line Permit is required, which is given by the Arunachal Pradesh government representative in Delhi.

Some journalists directly approached the Arunachal Bhavan here which gave Inner Line Permit to them, the sources said.

Carrying these permits, the journalists reached Guwahati where they were stopped as they could not travel on the basis of these documents.

Festive mood

A Tawang datelined report said the picturesque town, nestled among the snow-capped mountains and perched at a height of 10,000 feet, was all set to welcome the Dalai Lama.

Colourful posters with pictures of the spiritual leader and flags welcome visitors to the place, where the Dalai Lama arrived in 1959 after his escape from Tibet.

A security blanket has been thrown around the area, strategically located between China and Myanmar, with the Tawang district administration making all efforts to ensure a peaceful visit.

Lama Tashi, director of the Himalayan Studies and Research Centre, who was nominated for the Grammy award for his songs based on Tibetan master chants, says the visit will give a strong signal to China that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country.

“People regard him as god and, therefore, no objection should be raised from any quarter for his visit to the State,” Mr. Tashi says. — PTI

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