No change in stance on Dalai Lama, says Indian government
What's the story
After media reports of Center asking its senior leaders to stay away from events marking 60 years in exile of the Dalai Lama, Ministry of External Affairs clarified that India's position on the Dalai Lama has not changed. India's position is 'clear and consistent'. "His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities." MEA said.
Background
Tibetan government in exile
Dalai Lama is the Buddhist spiritual leader who fled Tibet for India in 1959 when China cracked down on Tibet's independence movement. China sees the Dalai Lama as a separatist and expresses its displeasure when government leaders, Indian or foreign, meet the leader who has been living in exile in India for the past six decades.
Information
Events to mark 60 years of the Dalai Lama
Later in March, a whole host of events are planned to mark 60 years of the Dalai Lama in India. A public event "Thank You India" will be organized on 1 April, 2018 at New Delhi's Thyagaraj Sports Complex.
"Sensitive time"
Government asks its leaders to skip 'Dalai Lama events'
In a note sent by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, "senior leaders" and "government dignitaries" were directed to not participate in events of the "Tibetan leadership in exile," in the context of "sensitive time" for India's relations with China. This is being viewed as a step towards appeasing China, after the recently resolved standoff in Doklam involving India's northern neighbor.
Information
When China objected Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal
In April 2017, China had objected to the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, which it perceived as giving him political and official backing. Government of India allowed the visit nonetheless.