Sukhendu Bhattacharya

Tawang, Nov 8 (PTI) An 'emotional' Dalai Lama today hit out at China for opposing his visit to Arunachal Pradesh and expressed surprise over Chinese claims to Tawang.

The spiritual leader, who arrived here today on a four-day visit to this town, said it was usual for the Chinese to protest wherever he goes and his trip here was "non- political".

Recalling the Sino-India war in 1962, the Dalai Lama told reporters here that the People's Liberation Army of China had occupied Tawang and nearly reached Bom Dila that year.

"But the then Chinese Government declared a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew (its forces). Now the Chinese have got different views. This is something which I really don't know.

I am little bit surprised," he said in an apparent reference to Chinese claims over Tawang.

On Chinese opposition to his visit, the 74-year-old Dalai Lama said, "That is quiet usual.