India, China need each other for growth, world peace: Dalai Lama

Tribune News Service

Mohali, October 15

“India and China need each other for growth and world peace,” said the Dalai Lama on the Chandigarh University campus where the Global Spiritual Leader Award was conferred on him by the university.

On India-China relations, the Dalai Lama said the recent meeting between the Prime Minister of India and the Chinese President was a good development “towards creating a peaceful world”.

The Dalai Lama added that both China and India were large and ancient nations, which could play a pivotal role in religious harmony.

“It is in the interests of the world that India and China share a common platform and resolve their issues through bilateral talks,” said the spiritual leader. He also pointed out that Chinese youngsters/students should visit India to learn about real democracy while adding that there was need for close relations between India and China.

Earlier, praising Guru Nanak Dev for his secularism, humanity and equity, the Dalai Lama said the teachings of the first Guru of the Sikhs were continuously showing the right path to human beings.

The spiritual leader also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, terming his recent UN speech “very impressive”. “As a true statesman and global leader, Modi talked about world peace, development and protection of environment, while the address made by Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, was just full of emotional outburst and did not reflect maturity,” said the Dalai Lama, adding that world leaders should not get emotional while outlining global policies.

He also favoured Indo-Pak bilateral talks, terming these crucial for a peaceful environment and prosperity in South Asia.

Earlier, hundreds of students, including foreigners, turned up at the venue to listen to the spiritual leader’s address in which the Dalai Lama advocated “karuna” (compassion), ahimsa (non-violence) and love. The university’s chancellor, Satnam Singh Sandhu, honoured the Dalai Lama with Global Spiritual Leader Award-2019 during the function.