Ahead of his proposed visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the Dalai Lama on Saturday hit out at China for opposing his trip to the state saying it was "politicising too much" the issue as he was going there solely for teaching.
The Tibetan spiritual leader said he was surprised and saddened by China's criticism of his visit to Tawang monastery in Arunachal Pradesh.
"I was surprised at China's criticism. If my visit creates problem, I am very sad, that's all," the Tibetan leader, on a visit here told journalists, implying that he intends to go ahead with his visit on November 8.
"The Chinese government politicises too much wherever I go. Where I go is not political," the 74-year old Nobel Peace Prize winner said.
Contending that he was travelling to Arunachal in connection with teaching his beliefs, the Dalai Lama said Tawang held great memories for him as this was his first stop 50 years ago when he was forced to flee Tibet, Kyodo said.
India and China were recently engaged in a verbal spat over Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Arunachal over which China lays claim.
China objected to his visit, but India rejected the objection, saying the Tibetan leader was free to travel anywhere in India.
New Delhi, however, has made it clear that the Dalai Lama is not supposed to indulge in political activities or discuss India-China boundary question.
