Expressing concern over China's objection to the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said that the Dalai Lama's visit is purely religious in nature and there is no need to create 'artificial controversy' over his visit.
"The visit is purely religious in nature and there should be no political angle given to that," the Union minister was quoted as saying by a news agency. He added that there was no need to create 'artificial controversy' over Dalai Lama's visit.
Saying that India never interferes in the internal matter of China, he said China should also stay away from interfering in India's internal matters.
"India never interferes in the internal affairs of China. We expect that China also should not interfere in our internal matters," he said.
"People of Arunachal Pradesh desire to have good neighbourly relations with people of China. We never intend to have any problem with our neighbours," he said.
China reportedly claims that Arunachal Pradesh is part of South Tibet and calls Dharamshala-based Dalai Lama a separatist, who wants to carve out an independent Tibet within the Chinese mainland.