China said on Monday it protested to India over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings to the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday and the attendance of Indian officials at the celebrations, stressing New Delhi should fully appreciate Beijing’s sensitivities on Tibet-related issues.

China’s position on Tibet-related affairs is consistent, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing here. The 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile, who for a long, has been engaged in separatist activities and attempted to separate Xizang from China under the cover of religion, Mao alleged. China refers to Tibet as Xizang. 

“India should fully appreciate the great sensitivity of Xizang-related issues and recognise the anti-separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama and honour the commitment it made to China on issues related to Xizang,” she said.