NEW DELHI: Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, whose ongoing trip to Arunchal Pradesh has irked China, visited the northeastern state six times since 1983-- the last trip came in 2009. The 2009-visit had come exactly 50 years after Dalai Lama had passed through the state on his way to India from Lhasa, Tibet.
His first trip was in 1983 (March 24-May 6) when he visited Miao, Tenzingang, Bomdila, Tawang, Dirang and Itanagar, according to the Dalai Lama's website. During his second trip to Arunachal Pradesh in 1996, (December 7-16) he travelled to Miao, Tezu and Mirig. He followed it up in 1997 (October 9–21) during which he travelled to Tenzin Gang, Bomdila, Dirang and Tawang, the webiste says.
In 2003, the spiritual leader, paid two visits to the northeastern state-- first between April 29-May 9 (Bomdila from May 1-3 and Tawang from May 3-9), and then from December 11-17 (Itanagar in the last three days). The 2009-trip, his sixth, was between November 8-15 and he had commenced the visit from Tawang and was there for four days, according to the website.
China has raised objection to the Dalai Lama's trip to Arunachal Pradesh saying it will cause "serious damage" to bilateral ties. India today rejected China's objection saying no "artificial controversy" should be created around the visit and asked Beijing not to interfere in its internal affairs.