China on Wednesday reiterated that the visit of the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh will have a negative impact on Sino-Indian ties, and accused New Delhi of breaching its commitment on the Tibet issue.
In response to a question, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Beijing would take “further action” to safeguard its territorial sovereignty.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang took exception to statements by the Dalai Lama and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who had said in an interview that the State does not share its border with China, but with Tibet.
Analysts saw the statement as a violation of the ‘One China’ principle that defines China’s statehood.
Mr. Lu said the “provocative” statements of the Tibetan leader “exceeded the scope of religious activities.”
“What India has done is violated the solemn commitment on the Tibet-related issues, and it also has a negative impact on proper settlement of territorial disputes between the two sides through negotiations,” he said.
The Foreign Ministry said: “The boundary question [and] the Tibet-related questions bear on the political foundation of China-India relationship.” “We have already reached important consensus on resolving the boundary dispute through negotiations and consultations.”
He said: “We also hope that the Indian side bears in mind the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples and safeguard the political foundation of the bilateral relationship and not take any provocative action.”
