Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, December 20

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today met the Dalai Lama at Gaden Phodrang, his residence at McLeodganj.

The RSS chief yesterday attended a seminar at Kangra with 60 intellectuals, including Sikyong Penpa Tsering and speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel.

The RSS chief, who is on a five-day tour to Kangra, was accompanied by Indresh Kumar, senior leader of the RSS. After meeting the Dalai Lama, the RSS leaders also met by the Sikyong, Kalons of the 16th Kashag (cabinet of the Tibetan government-in-exile) and the speaker. The Tibetan leaders expressed their gratitude to the government and people of India for their hospitality and support to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Sikyong said: “it’s natural that when Bhagwat is in Dharamsala, he should meet the Dalai Lama. It’s also natural that the Dalai Lama meets a prominent leader representing a large number of Indians,” said the Sikyong.

“Mohan Bhagwat’s visit came after the Dalai Lama has started granting in-person meetings since December 15, the first of which was offered to the Sikyong, making the Dalai Lama’s second in-person meeting after the emergence of the ongoing pandemic,” he added.

Although the conversation between the Dalai Lama and the RSS leaders are not disclosed, the Sikyong said, “They must have talked about the larger interest of humanity on major issues.”

Indresh Kumar, talking to mediapersons, said the Dalai Lama told them that India is the model of religious harmony and India should make it known to the world. He added that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also expressed India’s solemn support to Tibetans.