Exclusive | Dalai Lama likely to meet PM Modi after Covid-19 situation stabilises, visit Tibet...
Exclusive | Dalai Lama likely to meet PM Modi after Covid-19 situation stabilises, visit Tibet...
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Covid-19 situation stablises. The government will decide how the meeting will take place when he visits Delhi.
"I intend to maybe pay a courtesy call to the honourable prime minister [PM Modi] to thank him for whatever India has done for us. But we do have other avenues of engaging the Indian government," Dalai Lama, the Tibetan leader in exile, said on Wednesday.
The Dalai Lama's statement comes a day after wishes poured in from around the globe on the occasion of his 86th birthday on Tuesday.Thanking everyone, including PM Modi for their wishes, the Dalai Lama said on Wednesday he was determined that he must live at least 110 years.
DALAI LAMA WANTS TO VISIT TIBET
The Dalai Lama said he also intends to visit Tibet. He has expressed his desire to visit his birthplace, Tibet, on many occasions in the past as well.
"The Tibetan government intends to engage China to find a solution to the problem," the Dalai Lama said.
"We have remained engaged with the Chinese government unofficially, but we intend to find ways for an official engagement," the Dalai Lama said.
He further said, "We will also be engaging the international community and other countries, including the US on the issue of Tibet."
THE 'LONGEST GUEST' OF INDIA
Dalai Lama said he is the "longest guest" of India, who would never cause any trouble to his host, news agency PTI reported.
"As I always mentioned, India is my home. I was born in Tibet. But most of my life was spent in this country... I really feel proud that I am a guest of the Indian government. I think I am the longest guest of the Indian government. But at least that guest will not create a problem," PTI quoted the Dalai Lama as saying.
ALSO READ | Dalai Lama contributes to PM-CARES Fund to strengthen India's fight against Covid-19
In a virtual interactive session with GV Prasad, co-chairman and managing director of Dr Reddy's Laboratories and others, Dalai Lama said India, which practices "Ahimsa and Karuna" [non violence and compassion], stands as a role model for other countries.
The Dalai Lama, whose real name is Tenzin Gyatso, has been living in exile for 62 years in India. He has been a symbol of the struggle of the Tibetan people for freedom, challenging the communist rule of China.
The Dalai Lama had earlier said, "Since I became a refugee and settled in India, I have taken full advantage of India's freedom and religious harmony. I want to assure you that for the rest of my life I am committed to reviving ancient Indian knowledge
