India's banned terror group United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) has issued a dire warning to the controversial spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to avoid making anti-Chinese statements during his visit to Assam next month.

After wrapping his tour to Assam, the Dalai Lama will commence the two day tour to Tawang in the disputed state of Arunachal Pradesh, which has already left Beijing completely miffed. The tour will start from April 1^St.

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In an open letter written to the Dalai Lama, which has been accessed by several Indian media houses, ULFA-I has put forth a stern condition in front of the globetrotting spiritual leader. The condition being that he won't utter a single word against China.

"If you want to visit Assam, we have a special condition. You will not make any personal or public comments against China from Assam's soil," outfit Chairman Abhijeet Asom categorically warned in the open letter.

The terror group chief underscored the deep bond shared between China and Assam as he asserted that "both are friendly neighbours who share long-standing linguistic and cultural ties." He further warned the Dalai Lama that "we will not tolerate it if you act as a spokesperson for Indian sentiments from Assam's soil."

The ULFA-I's open letter also touched on the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, claiming that his visit to the disputed region will affect bilateral ties.  It also claimed that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of Southern Tibet and testing China's patience can lead to a war-like situation.

This is probably for the first time that India's north-eastern terror group has publicly spoken in support of China. Although Beijing's claim is only restricted to Arunachal Pradesh and not over other insurgency prone north eastern states like Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Meghalaya.

New Delhi has repeatedly accused that several north-east terrorists including ULFA Chief Paresh Barua are currently hiding in China. However, Beijing has openly denied such allegations.

India using Dalai Lama as strategic asset  

In a strake departure from the previous government, the current Indian government led by Narendra Modi is showing greater engagement with the Dalai Lama at public platforms. Analysts claim that the new practice clearly shows that New Delhi wants to use the Dalai Lama as a strategic asset against China, which considers the controversial Buddhist leader as a dangerous insurgent.  

Analysts say that by following this confrontational policy India is giving a tit-for-tat response to Chinese government, after it repeatedly snubbed on the contagious issues of Masood Azhar and NSG.

The Dalai Lama eloped China in 1959, after leading a failed uprising against the Chinese government. Since then he has been living in asylum in India's northern town of Dharamshala. The controversial Buddhist leader for several decades has been fighting for the independence of Tibet, which Beijing considers as its integral part.              

TagsDalai Lama, India, Assam, China and India, ULFA