Dalai Lama's visit to AR will negatively impact ties

China yesterday warned India that the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh (AR) will have "negative impact" on the settlement of the border dispute and accused New Delhi of violating its commitment on the Tibet issue.

Chinese foreign ministry also said Beijing will take "further action" to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and slammed the "provocative" statements of the Tibetan spiritual leader and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who had said that the state only shares its border with Tibet, and not with China.

In the strongest comments since April 4, when the Dalai Lama began his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as Southern Tibet, foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said their "provocative" statements "exceeded the scope of religious activities" as stated by India.

Lu said despite China's objection, India insisted on arranging the Dalai Lama's visit "in the disputed areas of the eastern section of the China-India boundary". He also said the "some specific Indian official" had indulged in provocative political statement but did not name Pema Khandu.

"It shows that the activity by the 14th Dalai Lama already exceeded so called scope of religious activities claimed by the Indian side," Lu said.

"What India has done is violated the solemn commitment on Tibet-related issues and it also has negative impact on proper settlement of the territorial disputes between the two side through negotiations," it said.