New Delhi: India has a consistent policy of treating the Dalai Lama as a respected religious leader and an honoured guest in the country, the ministry of external affairs said on Thursday.

The assertion, in response to a question, came two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up the Tibetan spiritual leader and greeted him on his 86th birthday.

“It is the consistent policy of the government of India to treat His Holiness the Dalai Lama as an honoured guest in India and as a respected religious leader who enjoys a large following in India,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.

Click here to read more.