India denies strain in China ties over Dalai Lama trip

New Delhi, Nov 4 : Denying any strain in bilateral ties due to the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, India Wednesday said Sino-Indian ties were set to acquire 'more substance and relevance' in days to come.

"There is no strain in bilateral ties," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters here when asked whether the Dalai Lama's scheduled visit to Arunachal Pradesh Nov 8 had strained ties between the two countries.

"Our position is very clear," Rao said while alluding to New Delhi's stance that the Dalai Lama, who has been living in exile in the hill resort of Dharamsala for the last five decades, can go anywhere in India provided he does not indulge in political activities.

Describing the relationship with China as "complex", Rao said the rise of India and China was "a source of dynamism" in the region and the world.

Speaking at a seminar on South Asia organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), Rao stressed that despite "outstanding issues", India-China ties were set to acquire "greater dynamism and relevance" in days to come.

Rao pointed out that the resolution of outstanding issues like the border dispute would take some time and entail greater political will on part of both countries.

Rejecting Beijing's objections to the Tibetan leader's visit to India's northeastern state, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said last week after meeting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that the Dalai Lama was "an honoured guest" of India.

"(But) we do not allow Tibetan refugees to indulge in political activities. As a proof of that, last year we took resolute action at the time of Olympics when there were reports that some Tibetan refugees might disrupt (the Olympic torch relay)," he had said.

In a subtle shift of stance, China Tuesday accused the Dalai Lama of trying to "wreck" Sino-Indian ties by his proposed trip to Arunachal Pradesh, over which Beijing claims sovereignty, but refrained from condemning New Delhi for allowing the visit.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu Tuesday flayed the Dalai Lama for his "separatist" activities. "The Dalai Lama often lies and often engages in acts to sabotage China's relations with other countries," said Ma.

--IANS