China on Monday denied that the Karmapa, head of the Tibetan Karma Kagyu sect, was its spy, and claimed that allegations against the country in this regard showed India's 'mistrustful attitude' towards Beijing. "The speculation by India's media, regarding the matter of the Karmapa as a Chinese agent or spy, shows that India is maintaining its mistrustful attitude toward China," said Xu Zhitao, an official at the United Front Work Department of the ruling Communist Party.
The controversy is a sensitive issue which could have an impact on relations with China and could hurt the feelings and sensitivities of the followers of the Karmapa, say B Raman.
In the long-running rivalry between the 'Delhi Karmapa' and the 'Chinese Karmapa', the latter seems to have won.
'China is concerned about its impact within Tibet.'
