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India reacted on Tuesday to the Dalai Lama's proposal for "genuine autonomy" for Jammu & Kashmir by iterating that the state is "an integral part" of the country.
Referring to the Dalai Lama's remarks at a south Asian peace conference in Madras on Sunday, external affairs ministry spokeswoman Nirupama Rao said: "Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India.
"His Holiness the Dalai Lama knows about India's commitment to human rights, to democracy and to our constant pursuit of peace."
The government's reaction was framed after studying the full text of the Tibetan spiritual leader's remarks.
Rao said the government had no information about the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference, a conglomeration of 23 separatist Kashmiri groups, inviting the Dalai Lama to the state.
"There have been no restrictions on the Dalai Lama's movements, except for administrative or security reasons," she said when asked if he would be allowed to visit Kashmir.
At the end of the Madras conference, two APHC representatives indicated their interest in visiting the Dalai Lama. The spiritual leader said they would be welcome.
Newspaper reports had quoted the Dalai Lama as saying at the conference that India and Pakistan should consider self-rule for Kashmiris. On Monday, his office in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, described the remarks attributed to him as "inaccurate".
Indo-Asian News Service
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