Dalai Lama behind anti-China protests in Delhi: China

NEW DELHI: Amid a series of demonstrations by Tibetans against Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit here, China today accused Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama of being behind the protests during which a Tibetan burnt himself to death.

Jamphel Yeshi, the 26-year-old Tibetan activist who set himself ablaze during a protest on Monday against Hu's visit, died at a hospital yesterday.

"The Dalai Lama and the so called pro-independence Tibetan elements are trying to push such extreme and radical views by glorifying and instigating extreme behaviour. This is not consistent with teachings of Buddhism," Luo Zhaohui, Director General of China's Department of Asian Affairs, told reporters here.

Hu's two-day visit here to participate in the fourth BRICS summit triggered a series of anti-China protests since Monday despite police detaining hundreds of Tibetans in the city in the run up to today's BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit.

Terming the protests as "political", Luo, however, appreciated "effective" and "concrete" measures taken by India in quelling the demonstrations and ensuring safe and smooth holding of the BRICS Summit.

He also said China was "regretful" for loss of innocent life.

"The Chinese side appreciates the effective and concrete measures taken by the government of India in overcoming the disruptions and the disturbances and in ensuring the safe and smooth holding of the (BRICS) Summit meeting," Luo, who is part of Hu's delegation here, said.