The Secret Tibet (The Forbidden world)

New Delhi (PTI): Acting on a government direction, Union Ministers on Saturday kept away from a function here to felicitate the Dalai Lama who emphasised the importance of resolution of the Tibetan issue for India-China friendship.

The Cabinet Secretary issued a circular, advising ministers not to attend the function to felicitate the Dalai Lama, in an apparent move to avoid offending China.

The Tibetan spiritual leader just returned from a visit to the US where he received the highest civilian award bestowed by the US Congress, much to the chagrin of China.

After the honour, China unleashed a fresh tirade against the US over his warm reception there.

Today's felicitation function was organised by the Gandhi Peace Foundation and the All India Parliamentary Forum for Tibet.

The organisers of the function expressed disappointment over the absence of ministers but the Dalai Lama himself refused to attach much importance to the issue.

Asked whether Indian government's representatives should have been present on the occasion, he said, "No, I don't think (so)...This is private (function)".

Asked about the relations between him and the Indian government, the Dalai Lama said it was "excellent".

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who was to address the function and had confirmed her participation, too skipped it. Her office told the organisers that she had to "rush" to Mumbai for a meeting.