After Decades Of Free Tibet Campaign, Dalai Lama Now Says The Region Wants To Stay With China!

Freeing Tibet from the rule of China was one of the demands that made Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama the enemy of Beijing.

But in what came as a surprise to many including Tibetans, the Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 to escape persecution said Tibet did not seek independence from China but greater development.

Speaking at an interactive session hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce the Dalai Lama said, "We are not seeking independence... We want to stay with China. We want more development."

AP

He added, "Tibet has a different culture and a different script... The Chinese people love their own country. We love our own country."

He said, "From Yangtze to Sindhu rivers, major rivers ... come from Tibet. Billions of lives are involved. Taking care of the Tibetan plateau is not only good for Tibet but for billions of people."

He also lauded India's "spirit of religious tolerance", adding that there were "problems sometimes because of politicians trying to manipulate that".

ALSO READ: War Of Words Between China And Dalai Lama Intensifies, Beijing Calls Spiritual Leader 'A Liar'

AP

He took a dig at the average Indian's laziness as well ¡ª describing them as "lazier than the Chinese".

"I think Indian people are lazy but that may be due to the climate. But India is more stable and can play a role in the world stage," he added. "India has a tradition of living together. (It is) a living example of different traditions being carried together," the Buddhist monk said, adding: "I can proudly state the same about Tibetan culture."

Ever since he fled to India with his supporters, the Dalai Lama has been the head of a Tibetan government in exile, based out of Dharmashala until he relinquished political powers in 2011.

ALSO READ: Dalai Lama Calls For Peace Between India And China, Believes Dolkam Is Not A Very Serious Issue

BCCL/ File

Many Tibetan youths, both living in Chinese controlled Tibet and living in India had in the past couple of years self immolated demanding freedom from Beijing.

ALSO READ: China Threatens World Leaders Against Meeting Dalai Lama, Says It Will Be Taken As Offence