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He(Dalai Lama) should not indulge in any political activity:Pranab Mukherjee
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NewsByte on 01 April, 2008 02:29:00
 
India has urged Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, not to indulge in
political activities that could hurt Sino-Indian relations.
Speaking to media in the city, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today
said, “The Dalai Lama is a respected guest in India. The nation will
continue to offer him all hospitality, but during his stay in India, he should
not indulge in any political activity, that could adversely affect relations
between India and China.”
Mukherjee's comments assume significance in the light of protests in Dharamsala
and other places in India since the government is trying to build closer ties
with China and repair decades of mistrust dating back to a 1962 border war.
Analysts however said that the message was aimed more at China than the Dalai
Lama as New Delhi has tried to reassure Bejing that security will be tight for
the Olympics torch during the Indian leg of its relay.
It is to be noted that on Monday, India's football team captain, Bhaichung
Bhutia, a Buddhist by religion had refused to carry the Olympic torch in protest
against China's actions in Tibet.