U.S. supports Dalai Lama visit to Indian state: report

Beijing has strongly opposed the Dalai Lama's week-long visit, due to begin Sunday, to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh that is home to the ancient Tawang monastery.

The Buddhist spiritual leader, who has lived in India since fleeing Tibet half a century ago, stopped at the monastery after his escape and is due to give several days of religious teachings there.

“The Dalai Lama is a religious leader and he, of course, can travel to carry out that role,” U.S. Undersecretary of State Maria Otero was quoted as saying Friday in New Delhi by The Times of India.

“He is visiting a monastery, a holy place. And from our perspective, this is one of the roles he plays,” she said when asked for her reaction to Chinese protests over the Tibetan leader's visit.

Otero added U.S. President Barack Obama was likely to meet the Dalai Lama later this year.

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