New Delhi, April 7 – Ahead of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to India, exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama sounded conciliatory saying both Chinese and Tibetans now see each other’s culture differently.
Although Dalai Lama described Wen – who arrives in India April 9 on a four-day visit – as “the leader of a totalitarian country”, he also praised him for being “more realistic, open-minded and rational” than his predecessors.
During his four-day trip, Wen is expected to take up the border issue with the Indian government. In New Delhi he will attend the inauguration of a China Culture Month in India.
“Among Chinese intellectuals, writers, thinkers and businessmen, there is a growing appreciation of the Tibetan culture,” the Dalai Lama, who is on his way to Japan, told IANS in an interview.
Singalling a change of heart, he said: “There is a realistic appreciation of viewpoints of both sides. It’s a positive sign.”
The 70-year-old leader, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, also stressed the point that he is “not for secession, but for a solution within the Chinese constitution.”
“I am trying to find a meaningful solution to the Tibetan problem. For one thing, I am not for secession,” said the 70-year-old leader, who fled to India in 1959 and heads a government-in-exile in Dharamsala.
“I am looking for a meaningful self-role to find a resolution of the problem within the Chinese constitution provided they agree to autonomy for Tibet.”
The Dalai Lama also hailed the “growing relations” between India and China.
“India and China, the two most populous nations on the world, are forging closer relations based on mutual trust. It’s not only in the interest of India and China but also that of the entire Asia,” he said, in the tone of a philosopher-king.
He signed a condolence message at the Vatican Embassy here Wednesday, lauding Pope John Paul II for his “extraordinary humanity and compassion”.
“I have always admired and respected him. His whole life was dedicated to peace,” said Dalai Lama, who had known the Pope right from the days when he was still in Poland.
“Instead of prayer and sadness, however, we should remember what he did when he was alive and carry on his good work,” he said.
“Right from the beginning, we bonded and shared close relations. We shared common ground — his own experience of communism in Poland helped him understand the Tibetan problem.
“We must strive for the promotion of spiritual values and harmony among various traditions,” said the Tibetan leader.
