Dalai Lama urges Xi to remain 'open minded'

Mumbai, Sep 18: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Thursday urged Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is on his maiden official visit to India, to remain "open minded and realistic" so that he can learn from India.

He also said sooner or later the Tibetan problem had to be resolved through understanding and talks.

"Actually, Tibetan problem is also the problem of India. Sooner or later the Tibetan problem has to be solved but by understanding and talks. That is very important," the Dalai Lama told reporters here.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner also said it was important to base Sino-India relations on trust.

"At that time when (former president) Hu Jintao had come to India, I also expressed that he should learn some experience from India."

"So, this time also my hope and expression is Xi Jingping should remain open minded and realistic so that he can learn from India," he said.

Besides, the Dalai Lama said China should work for peace, development of economy of Tibet and preservation of Buddhist religion, as China has about 400 million Buddhist population.

In Delhi, Tibetan refugees staged a demonstration in south Delhi's Dhaula Kuan area and central Delhi's Hyderabad House Thursday as Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks on boosting bilateral ties.

IANS