China has once again stepped up the pressure on India over its decision to allow the controversial spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to visit the disputed state of Arunachal Pradesh next month. This time the warning has come from China's influential state owned tabloid, which is known for its nationalistic tenor and whose views are often seen as a reflection of the Chinese government.

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The Global Times in its latest op-ed particularly took a critical note of Indian minister's comment about the Dalai Lama being a highly revered spiritual leader.  "The 14th Dalai Lama is by no means a spiritual leader but a Tibetan separatist, the op-ed said and categorically warned that "allowing the Dalai Lama to visit the disputed area will inevitably trigger confrontation."

The nationalistic tabloid openly accused the Indian government of using the Dalai Lama as a bargaining chip to "deal with China's growing economic and political influence in South Asia."

"However, they overestimate the political value of the Dalai Lama and his group while miscalculating China's determination to safeguard its core interests," it added.  

It urged that the recent good momentum built by both nations should not be disrupted by trivial issues and claimed that there exists a great potential for both the Asian countries to tap into cooperation.

"As the two biggest emerging economies, they have vast common interests on establishing a new global financial order, tackling climate change and other major issues," it said. 

The Indian government cleared the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh in October last year, apparently in response to China's refusal to soften stance on the NSG and Masood Azhar issues. In fact, the Modi government recently has increased its engagement with the Tibetan leader on public platform, a stark departure from the previous Indian government.

The Indian minister Kiran Rijiju, who is slated to meet the Dalai Lama next month in Arunachal Pradesh, told Reuters that "It's a behavioural change you are seeing. India is more assertive."

The Dalai Lama and Arunachal Pradesh are highly contagious issues in Indo-Sino bilateral relationship. The 80 year old Tibetan leader is the lone symbol of Tibet's insurgency movement across the world, while Arunachal Pradesh represents animosity over the unresolved border issue between India and China.

TagsDalai Lama, china, China and India, Arunachal Pradesh