Amritsar, Nov 28: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama sought meaningful autonomy for Tibet, but expressed disappointment over not much progress being made on this issue with China.  

"We are not seeking independence from China because of our own interests. Everybody knows that Tibet was a materially backward area and needed modern development,” he said at the circuit house here.

"Tibet wants to remain within the People's Republic of China as far as material development is concerned. We gain more benefit provided, we should have meaningful autonomy so that our own unique culture, history, spirituality and delicate environment is protected,” he added.
 
The Dalai Lama hailed the land and rail route to Tibet from mainland China but cautioned against its military use.

“It is good if the roads and rail links are used to provide more prosperity to Tibet'', he said.

However, he cautioned that it would be harmful if the same was used for military purpose or demographic aggression or indiscriminately exploiting the natural resources of Tibet.

While advocating closer ties with India and China, the Dalai Lama said, “Both were highly populated nations and a genuine friendship between them on the basis of mutual trust was in interest of Asia and world peace.”

Dalai Lama along with religious leaders of Birmingham-based Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha was gathered here for a third meeting of the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders on the theme of: "Sharing Wisdom: The Case of Love and Forgiveness".

“The religious heads of different faiths will meeting but seriously deliberating for the promotion of religious harmony through close contact of preachers of religions in spite of different philosophies and different approaches in life,” he said.

The meeting will bring together about 50 world religious leaders and scholars from around the world and will include representatives from each of the major religions, including Judaism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism.

“Our planet is in desperate need for love, forgiveness and interrelations harmony. This meeting of leaders and scholars from around the world will explore how the wisdom of out tradition can help achieve these things,” the Dalai Lama added.

The summit will conclude on Thursday. (ANI)