India has never used me against China: Dalai Lama

GUWAHATI: Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has said India never used him against China, and that Tibetans want to stay with China with autonomy and self-rule.

“India has never used me against China, India has taken great care of me,” Tenzing Tsewang Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, said in Bomdila on Wednesday.

“I am messenger of ancient Indian thoughts and values. I thank government of India for the support. I am India’s longest standing guest,” he said.


Reacting to Chinese objection to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, he said, “In China there are many who love India, but there are also narrow-minded politicians who have certain views and they consider me as demon.”

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate clarified that Tibetans are not seeking independence. “For material development, it is in our interest to remain with China,” he said.

“China must give us meaningful self-rule, autonomy, and must take care of the environment in Tibet. China has the highest population of Tibetan Buddhists. Many Chinese intellectuals also fully support our cause,” he said.

Giving a discourse at Buddha Park in Bomdila, the Dalai Lama said he had an emotional connect with Arunachal Pradesh. “When I got freedom, when I first reached India, I entered through Arunachal Pradesh… It is a special place for me,” he said.

On Thursday, the Dalai Lama will visit Dirang, and from April 8 to 10, he will deliver discourses in Tawang. As per his rescheduled visit, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader will not visit Itanagar.