With China protesting against Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the defence experts on Thursday said India should not pay heed to what the former is saying and ignore it.
"We must not react too much on what China says. We must learn to ignore it. We have said that Arunachal is integral part of India and that's above all. We don't have to give various reasons. We should not be scared and have the courage of conviction that what is ours; we must learn to say it is ours. Arunachal is ours, PoK is ours. We must reiterate by the action of the ground," Wing Commander (Retd) Praful Bakshi told ANI.
Defence expert Qamar Agha called for a negotiation with China while asserting that the latter should realize the fact that The Dalai Lama is an honored guest in India and has every right to visit any place.
"China believes that Arunachal Pradesh is disputed territory but India has made it categorically clear that it has always been part of India and it will remain its part. Besides this India believes that The Dalai Lama is an honored guest in this country and has every right to visit any place in this country. Things can be sorted out through negotiation," Agha told ANI.
China yesterday asserted that it would lodge a diplomatic protest to India for 'obstinately' allowing the visit of the Tibetan spiritual leader to Arunachal Pradesh, thereby, causing a 'serious damage' to the bilateral ties.
China claims the partly ethnically Tibetan Himalayan state as its own territory and warned last month of "severe damage" to relations with India and increased regional instability if the Dalai Lama proceeds with his trip, reports the SCMP.
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China also said that it was 'strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed to this.'
"Recently, India ignored China's solemn representations and strong opposition and insisted on inviting the 14th Dalai Lama to attend an international Buddhist conference organised by the Indian government. China is strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed to this," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.
"We urge the India side to clearly recognise the anti-China separatist nature of the Dalai clique, abide by its promises on the Tibet issue, respect China's core interests and avoid further disturbances and harm to China-India relations," she added.
However, the Tibetan spiritual leader downplayed China's concern over his visit to North East India and said that he has no problems even if someone calls him a demon.
"No problem, even if some consider me a demon," he said while talking to the media in Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Hailing the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the Tibetan government-in-exile had said that China should not have any problem with it as the spiritual leader's visit is purely religious.
"He has been invited by the people of Tawang to come and give teachings and blessings. He is visiting as a religious leader. He travels all over the world and give teachings on Buddhist philosophy, inter religious harmony and peace.
There is no reason for China to protest the Lama visiting to the places where his followers are there," Tibetan government-in-exile spokesperson Sonam Dagpo told ANI.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also issued a statement, saying that no additional colour should be ascribed to the Dalai Lama's religious and spiritual activities.
On the global stage, China has repeatedly warned India that the Dalai Lama's visit would hit the bilateral ties significantly.
Protesting Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, China warned India to adhere to political pledges or else face the consequences.