Dalai Lama's presence has adversely affected Indo-China ties: Poll

Though the presence of the Dalai Lama has had an adverse impact on India-China relations, his being in India does not amount to interfering in the internal affairs of the Asian giant, according to a recent survey.

Seventy-one per cent of respondents in an opinion poll conducted by Outlook-Cfore in the four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai felt the Tibetan leader's presence in India has had an adverse impact on Indo-China relations.

However, 59 per cent of Indians think his presence does not amount to interfering in the internal affairs of China.

Forty-nine per cent of those polled think that by hosting the Dalai Lama, India runs the risk of China providing sanctuary to separatist leaders from Kashmir and north-east.

An overwhelming 70 per cent reject the Chinese allegation that the Dalai Lama masterminded the mid-March violence in Lhasa.

The opinion poll shows most Indians want their government to do a tightrope walk on the Tibetan issue.

While 47 per cent say India should not openly support the Dalai Lama to the point of angering China, yet 64 per cent do not want New Delhi to stop Tibetans from protesting against China.

According to the opinion poll, 61 per cent are opposed to boycotting the Beijing Olympics, should Beijing refuse to initiate dialogue with the Dalai Lama, who is seen by 73 per cent more as a spiritual leader than a political one.