During the times of high tension between India and China, a former diplomat criticized the Tibetan spiritual leader and its administration. However, the President of exile Tibetan administration responded that Ladakh, the epicenter of ongoing border tensions is the most visited place by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a guest of India!
President Dr. Lobsang Sangay has said in his interview with India Today that if there is one place in India, it is Ladakh where His Holiness the Dalai Lama has visit the most in India. His Holiness the has visited Ladakh 27 times, celebrated 4 or 5 of his birthdays there and performed 3 Kalachakra teachings there. His Holiness has always been there as a guest of India and has always been saying that it is a part of India.
Earlier in a debate on Aaj Tak, a national television news channel in India, Mr. Stobdan, a former diplomat from Ladakh accused that His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his exile Tibetan administration is not speaking up on the border dispute between India and China. He rudely remarked that if His Holiness is not aligned with China, he should clarify that the disputed regions belong to India, as a representative of Tibet, instead of just carrying out teachings in Dharamshala.
The Tibetan spiritual leader as well as the leaders of the exile Tibetan administration visits Indian states bordering China occupied Tibet. Despite fierce protest from China, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has visited every corner of Ladakh and regions like Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh to carry out teachings for his devoted followers there. During every visit, His Holiness always asserted that Chinese claims in the regions of India are baseless and wrong!
Following the uproar against Phunchok Stobdan’s controversial remarks on His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Ladakh, the former diplomat tendered an apology. Stobdan issued a video message where he says that he is deeply sorry to the spiritual leader and his followers, specially to those in the region of Ladakh where they follow His Holiness as their spiritual leader.