Moscow, Sept 23: Russia has denied entry visa to Tibetan spiritual head Dalai Lama, saying a visit by him would violate friendship and cooperation agreements between Moscow and Beijing. The Dalai Lama, who was to arrive Thursday on a visit to Russia's Buddhist-dominated internal Republic of Kalmikiya on an invitation by its President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, was refused visa "keeping in view a whole complex of conditions," Russian foreign ministry was quoted as saying by Interfax. The Foreign Ministry said currently "very complex and delicate" negotiations were underway between Beijing and representatives of the Dalai Lama.
Understanding the sensitivity of Tibet issue and sticking to the "principle of non-interference in internal affairs", Russia did not want the visit to have a "negative impact" on the talks, it said. "As is well-known, the Dalai Lama's international activities are viewed negatively in China, where they are considered separatist," it said expressing Moscow's backing for the Chinese policy in the issues concerning the protection of its "national unity and territorial integrity".
The Dalai Lama, living in exile in India, had visited Russia in 1993. However, after the radical improvement of Moscow's ties with Beijing he was repeatedly denied Russian visa.
Bureau Report