New Delhi, Apr 4: The Dalai Lama's presence in the country has worsened India-China relations, about 71 per cent Indians felt while another 47 per cent said New Delhi should not openly support the Tibetan spiritual leader to the point of angering Beijing.

According to an opinion poll conducted by Outlook-Cfore in the four metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, another 49 per cent thought that by hosting the Dalai Lama, India ran the risk of China providing sanctuary to separatist leaders from Jammu and Kashmir and North-East as well. However, 50 per cent thought his presence in India does not amount to interfering in China's internal affairs.

Similarly, an overwhelming 70 per cent rejected the Chinese proposition that the Dalai Lama masterminded the mid-March violence in Lhasa, Tibet. The opinion poll also showed that most Indians wanted their government do a tightrope walk on the Tibetan issue.

While 64 per cent does not want India to stop Tibetans from protesting against China, 61 per cent were opposed to boycotting the Beijing Olympics should China refuse to initiate dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

About 73 per cent saw the Dalai Lama more as a spiritual leader than a political one.


UNI