New Delhi: China has objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday wishes to Tibetan religious leader Dalai Lama. The Union Ministry of External Affairs has responded to this and said that the Dalai Lama is a guest of India.

Buddhist leader Dalai Lama celebrated his 87th birthday on the 6th. Prime Minister Modi wished him on his birthday over phone. Modi had said this in a statement and said that he prays for a long and healthy life. Modi had congratulated him last year too.

In this regard, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said: India needs to understand that the 14th Dalai Lama is anti-China and reactionary. We must act, speak and act prudently and abide by our commitments to China on issues related to Tibet. One should stop interfering in the internal affairs of China and Tibet. There is no outside interference in China’s internal affairs regarding Tibet. He said China would oppose all forms of contact between the Dalai Lama and foreign officials.

Responding to this, the spokesperson of the Union Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Pakshi, said, “It is the standard policy of the Government of India to treat the Dalai Lama as a guest of honor in India and as a respected leader with a large number of followers.” His birthday is celebrated by many in India and abroad. It is in this context that Modi wished the Dalai Lama on his birthday. This is what he said.