New Delhi: Amid a row over the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, India on Monday asked China not to interfere in its internal affairs, saying it respects the "One-China" policy and expects Beijing to reciprocate.
Making a statement on the visit of the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said that the Tibetan spiritual leader's visit to the border state is completely religious and no political motive should be ascribed to it.
"There is no political angle behind His Holiness's visit to Arunachal Pradesh. It is completely religious. Arunachal Pradesh is an inseparable part of India and China should not object to his visit and interfere in India's internal affairs," he told reporters.
Rijiju said India has never interfered in China's internal affairs and it expect China to reciprocate.
"We respect Beijing's 'One-China' policy and we expect China to reciprocate," he said.
External Affairs Ministry also asserted that the government has clearly stated on several occasions that the Dalai Lama is a revered religious leader, who is deeply respected by the Indian people.
"No additional colour should be ascribed to his religious and spiritual activities and visits to various states of India," the Ministry said in a release.
The government, therefore, urges that no "artificial controversy" should be created around his present visit to Arunachal Pradesh, it said.
The Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit Arunachal Pradesh on Monday during which he will hold religious discourse with devotees in Tawang, Bomdial and other areas.
A wary China has kept a close watch ahead of the Dalai Lama's visit, starting on Monday.
Earlier, the Chinese Foreign Ministry had warned India that the visit of the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as part of Tibet, will cause "serious damage" to bilateral ties.
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