Dharamshala, June 19 (UNI) A high-level US delegation of influential bipartisan lawmakers called on the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Wednesday at his palace in McLeodganj, Dharamshala, officials said here.
The meeting was held despite China's warnings to avoid contact with the Buddhist monk whom they call a separatist.
The officials said the bipartisan group of seven met the 88-year-old Nobel peace laureate at his Palace in front of the Buddhist monastery in this hill town of Dharamsala. The meeting was held a day after the delegation arrived to a warm reception by school children, Buddhist monks and nuns in this hill town.
The team, led by Michael McCaul, a Republican representative from Texas, who also chairs the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, includes Democrat former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
There was a felicitation function held in the courtyard of the Buddhist temple outside Dalai lama's palace later.
The delegation visited the Tibetan Parliament on Tuesday and a dinner was hosted in their honour by the Tibetan Government in Exile here.
Issues the lawmakers were set to discuss with the Dalai Lama include a U.S. bill that aims to press China to resolve the Tibet dispute and awaits President Joe Biden's signature, McCaul said on Tuesday.
Beijing, which allegedly calls the Dalai Lama a "dangerous separatist", said it was seriously concerned about the visit and the bill.
China urged the lawmakers not to make contact with what it calls the "Dalai clique" and requested Biden not to sign the bill.
The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet. The Dalai Lama was since then living a life in exile here. Chinese officials, however, were annoyed and unhappy about any interaction he had with officials of other countries.
The Dalai Lama has met U.S. officials, including presidents, during previous visits to the United States, but Biden has not met him since taking office in 2021.
Dalai Lama is due to fly to the U.S. this week for medical treatment, but it is unclear if he will have any other engagements then. UNI AR SSP