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Karmapa Lama: Chinese envoy meets MEA mandarin

Amberish K Diwanji in Delhi

Chinese Ambassador to India Zhou Gang today called on the joint secretary, East Asia, ministry of external affairs, T C A Rangachary. The meeting lasted about 20 minutes.

The MEA spokesman later made the following statement: "In response to a request by the Chinese side, we have informed them today that Lama Orgyen Thinley Dorji, accompanied by six persons, arrived in Dharamsala on January 5, 2000. He and his entourage are currently at a monastery near Dharamsala. They are in good health. The lama is being provided the appropriate security cover.

"The Chinese side has been asked to share with us specific details regarding his departure from Tibet, the route taken, and other relevant details.

"Both India and China have noted with satisfaction the sound momentum in bilateral relations and the process of improvement and development of these relations on the basis of Panchsheel by the concerted efforts of the two countries."

The spokesman added that other bilateral issues were also discussed, but refused to elaborate. Besides the above statement, he also continued to remain chary on the current status of the Karmapa Lama. The Chinese government spokesman in Beijing had two days ago requested the meeting between the Chinese ambassador and the Indian government.

The ministry reiterated that India had received no request for political asylum from the Karmapa Lama.

When asked if the Chinese knew the route taken by the Karmapa Lama, since he had escaped from Tibet, the spokesman refused to comment.

It is learnt that the Karmapa Lama met the Dalai Lama today at Dharamsala.

The government is still looking into the likely fallout should the Karmapa Lama continue to stay in India. While the government is likely to give the Karmapa Lama refugee status, which is provided to all Tibetans who flee Tibet to India, political asylum appears unlikely.

Another option is to allow the Karmapa Lama seek asylum in another country, which could also be a Buddhist country where he is revered. Two names that have been mentioned are Japan and Thailand, but there is no confirmation of the same. The Karmapa Lama is the head of the Kagyu sect of the Buddhist faith.

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