Narendra Modi govt clears Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh

Recently US Ambassador Richard Verma visited the annual Tawang Festival in Arunachal Pradesh.

New Delhi: In a move which is sure to raise eyeballs in China, Narendra Modi government has cleared Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh.

Dalai Lama will be visiting the north eastern state next year. The Tibetan spiritual leader will be in Arunachal for a fortnight and visit some parts of the state.

Recently US Ambassador Richard Verma visited the annual Tawang Festival in Arunachal.

Reacting to Verma's Arunachal tour, China Beijing said visits like that of Verma would make the border dispute between India and China more "complicated" and "sabotage" peace in the region.

However, New Delhi curtly dismissed China`s protest against US Ambassador's visit.

"The US Ambassador visited Arunachal Pradesh, a state which is an integral part of the country to which he is accredited," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup told the media.

The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. The Tibetan administration-in-exile is based in this northern Indian hill town. India is home to some 100,000 Tibetan exiles.