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China cautions against asylum for Karmapa Lama: PTI

Anil K Joseph in Beijing

China has cautioned India against granting asylum to the 17th Karmapa Lama under the "influence of anti-China forces" or Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

Reacting to last Saturday's meeting between Union Home Minister L K Advani and the Dalai Lama in New Delhi, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi expressed hope that the Indian government would adhere to its commitments.

"The Indian government has stated many times that it will not allow the Dalai Lama or his clique to engage in political activity from Indian territory aimed at splitting China," Sun told PTI.

He said India had also indicated that the Karmapa would not be allowed to engage in political activity and that New Delhi would not allow him to be used by other foreign powers against China. "We appreciate this and hope that the Indian government will adhere to the principles."

He noted that China and India adhered to the five principles of peaceful co-existence, especially that of mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

On September 16, the Dalai Lama, at a meeting with Advani, had urged the Indian government to allow the Karmapa - the 14-year-old boy Lama who was refused asylum after fleeing Tibet in January - to stay in India. He also requested India to let the Karmapa travel to the Rumtek monastery in Sikkim.

Advani said he would discuss the issue with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

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