Tawang, November 08 2009: Arriving in this border town to a rousing reception on a visit resented by China, the Dalai Lama today rebuffed it for objecting to his trip to Arunachal Pradesh and expressed surprise over its claims to Tawang, a revered seat of Buddhism.

The 74-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader, who is visiting this remote North eastern State after a gap of six years drawing international attention in the wake of Chinese protests, also rejected Beijing's charge he was encouraging a separatist movement calling it baseless.

The Nobel Laureate characterised his "emotional" visit to Tawang, which has strong ties to Tibet, as non-political.

"It is totally baseless on the part of the Chinese Communist Government to say that I am encouraging a separatist movement.

My visit to Tawang is non-political and aimed at promoting universal brother-hood and nothing else," he said.

The Dalai Lama said the People's Liberation Army of China had occupied Tawang and nearly reached Bom Dila during the Sino-India war in 1962 .

"But the then Chinese Government declared a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew (its forces).

Now the Chinese have got different views.

This is something which I really don't know.

I am a little bit surprised," he said in a clear reference to Chinese claims over Tawang.

The Dalai was talking to newsmen after opening a museum at the 400-year-old Tawang Monastery here.

China has strongly objected to the Dalai Lama's visit and in recent days it has stepped up rhetoric claiming Tawang and whole of Arunachal as part of their country.

He said there was no point in holding talks with China on the Tibet issue unless Beijing spells out its policy on it.

"It is quite usual for China to step up campaigning against me wherever I go," he added.

The Dalai recalled his visit to Tawang 50 years ago while fleeing across the Himalayas after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet.

The spiritual leader, who flew to Tawang from Guwahati this morning, was welcomed by cheering Tibetans as he drove along the 10-km stretch from the helipad to the Tawang Monastery, accompanied by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Kandu.

Nestled in the scow-capped mountains, Tawang, located at a height of 11,400 feet, wore a festive look with colourful posters of the Dalai Lama and fluttering Indian and Tibetan flags with buildings along the VIP route given a facelift.

The Dalai Lama dismissed Chinese accusation that he was wanting to split that country by creating an independent Tibet.

On his visit here, he said he was getting "emotional" as he had crossed this town in 1959 while fleeing from Tibet.

"I get emotional.

When I escaped I had mental stress and anxiety.

I had a feeling of hopelessness.

But the moment I saw (Krishna) Menon and other MEA officials on the border then I had a feeling of reunion and safe," the Dalai Lama said.

"So, now I am very happy to be here.

My main aim of the visit is promotion of human values wherever I go.

Just now I returned from Japan where I explained that the ultimate source of happiness of life is within ourselves," he said.

Asked whether he had any message for China, he said, "nothing, no, nothing." To a question on Tibet issue, the Dalai Lama said China should spell out its Tibetan policy.

"Unless they make clear their policy on Tibet there is no point in talking to them.

No point in going back to the negotiating table unless they take care of the well-being of 6 million Tibetan people," he said.

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