China on Thursday once again staked claim over Tawang region located in the disputed Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh region and also issued a fresh warning to New Delhi that the Dalai Lama's forthcoming visit to Tawang may adversely affect the Indo - Sino bilateral relationship.

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However, the fresh warning to India was not issued by any Chinese ministry, but by an influential Tibetan scholar Lian Xiangmin, who is one of the official advisors to Chinese government on the Tibetan issue.

Lian along with other Tibetan scholars was speaking to reporters as he underscored Tawang's deep historical link with Tibet. The scholar claimed that Tawang shared a very historical bond with Drepung monastery located near Lhasa city, asserting that this irreplaceable bond is suffice to make the disputed region an integral part of southern Tibet.

Lian also took a swipe at the Dalai Lama's scheduled visit to Tawang next month, which is the first visit to the disputed region by the controversial spiritual leader since 2009. The Buddhist leader's visit is scheduled mostly from April 5 -7.

"This time around the Indian government again arranged the visit, it will only hurt friendly relations between the two countries...... Such a visit by the Dalai Lama touches a sensitive issue and undoubtedly negatively affects China-India relations," he said.

On the question of Dalai Lama's successor, the Tibetan scholar asserted that choosing the successor to the 14th Dalai Lama is solely the prerogative of Chinese government. Earlier this month, the controversial spiritual leader told in an interview given to U.S. comedian John Oliver that he may very well be the last Dalai Lama.

China views Dalai Lama as a separatist leader, whose only mission is to separate Tibet from Mainland China. He has living in a political asylum in India's northern state of Dharmshala, where he has been residing since he eloped from China in 1959.

Arunachal Pradesh a vexed issue between India and China

Located in India's North Eastern part, Arunachal Pradesh has been a bone of contention between Asia's two largest countries for several decades now. China stakes claim over nearly 38,000 sq km area in Arunachal Pradesh, claiming the entire area it to be an integral part of the Southern Tibet.

However, New Delhi refutes Beijing's claim and considers the disputed north-eastern state to be an integral part of its union. Currently, the Arunachal Pradesh state is spilt by a Line of Actual Control (LAC), a temporary border that very often witnesses skirmishes between Indian and Chinese forces.

The Indian and Chinese forces regularly border meets to ensure that peace and stability is maintained near the LAC.

TagsTawang, China and India, India, Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh