Chinese 'incursions' routine: The Dalai Lama

Jammu, Nov 16: Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama today said that "incursions" by Chinese troops along the Sino-Indian border were a "routine" as Beijing does not accept the existing border in Ladakh sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Chinese government, you see, never wants to accept that this is the existing sort of borderline (between India and China in Ladakh sector) and also in Arunachal Pradesh", he told reporters on the sidelines of a photo exhibition about a Buddhist site in J-K's Akhnoor belt.

He was replying to volley of questions about reported incursions by the Chinese Army in the Ladakh sector and China's view point on the border in that region.

On reports of recent incursions, he said, "That are always a routine".

The Dalai Lama also referred to "resentment" of farmer and workers in China where they resort to protest and strikes and said, "Overall it (China) needs a democratic society with rule of law..."

He said, "Basically India is the biggest democratic country and it is gradually improving economically but the Peoples Republic of China is not a democratic country at all".

The Dalai Lama parried a question on whether India has softened its stand on Tibet, saying, "In March this year, I handed over all sorts of political responsibility to the elected leadership.

"Not only am I retired, the almost four-century-old tradition of the Dalai Lama administration, which dealt with both spiritual and political set up of Tibet, has also now ended...I voluntarily, happily and proudly brought to an end this tradition. Now you better ask this question to the political leadership," he said.

Replying to questions, he said India's message of non- violence was "very relevant" in this world for promotion of unity and harmony among different cultures and communities.

PTI