The Tibetan government-in-exile had planned events to commemorate the 60 years in exile of Dalai Lama. However, it had to cancel two main events in Delhi. The events were the Tibetan way of saying “Thank You India.” The Centre forbade the government officials and leaders from sharing stage with the spiritual leader.
The China calls Dalai Lama a splittist and a dangerous separatist. Dalai Lama was to preside at all the events. But now they have been moved to Dharamshala, some 500 km away.
Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale sent a letter on February 22 addressing the cabinet secretary PK Sinha regarding the same. Sinha later issued the directive to all government functionaries.
Gokhale wrote to the Cabinet Secretary,
“The proposed period will be a very sensitive time in the context of India’s relations with China. Participation by senior leaders or government functionaries, either from the Central Government or State Governments, is not desirable, and should be discouraged.”
It is a very sensitive time for Indo-China diplomatic relations. The move will supposedly groom the ties. China was apparently angry after Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh last year.
Hindustan Times reported- The government has picked sentiments of ‘outrage, hurt and anger’ following the cabinet secretary’s note.
Ngodup Dhongchung, a representative of the Dalai Lama in Delhi expressed disappointment. He said-
“Some people may be disappointed. But we are guests of India. Indian people have been very generous to us. We understand the compulsions.”
However, some Tibetan activists have conveyed to authorities that this was a sign of ‘personal humiliation’ for the Dalai Lama.