New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called up the highest spiritual leader and a retired political leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, and conveyed his greetings on his 86th birthday. Speaking over the phone PM Modi wished him a long and healthy life.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to make the announcement. He tweeted, “Spoke on phone to His Holiness the @DalaiLama to convey greetings on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life.”
Lobsang Wangyal, a Tibetan activist, said, “PM Modi calling the Dalai Lama to wish him on his birthday is a great gesture, despite the border issue between India and China. This is a sign of India showing its strength. It is a very strong message to China.”
The Tibetan religious leader, the Dalai Lama has been living in exile in Dharamsala for over sixty years.
Earlier today, in a message on his 86th birthday, Dalai Lama said, “Since I became a refugee and now settled in India, I have taken full advantage of India’s freedom and religious harmony. I want to assure you that for the rest of my life I am committed to reviving ancient Indian knowledge,”.
“I really appreciate the Indian concept of secular values, not dependent on religion, such as honesty, karuna (compassion) and ahimsa (non-violence),” he added.