19 Foreign journalists sought permission to to cover the visit of Dalai Lama

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Minimum 19 Foreign journalists sought permission to cover the visit of Dalai Lama. Government tonight said a number of foreign journalists have applied for permission to travel to Arunachal Pradesh to cover the visit of the Dalai Lama and the applications are under process.

China has vehemently opposed the Tibetan leader's visit to a Buddhist monastery in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh Sunday and has accused Dalai Lama of trying to wreck the India-China ties.

India has made it clear that the Dalai Lama, who has been living in the hill resort of Dharamsala since 1959, can visit anywhere in the country provided he does not indulge in political activities.

The government Thursday denied that it has restricted foreign journalists from covering the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh later this week.

To travel to Arunachal Pradesh, a protected area permit is required.

'The ministry of external affairs, the nodal agency for foreign correspondents, recommends them to the ministry of home affairs when applications are made to visit Arunachal Pradesh,' official sources said here.

'No foreign journalist has been denied a permit so far. The applications are under consideration. Due process is being followed,' the sources said.

The clarification comes in the wake of a media report that claimed that the government had revoked passes previously provided to four of them, including two Associated Press journalists.

As per the rules, foreigners have to approach the MEA for Restricted Area Permit to travel to the sensitive state.

Contradicting a media report official sources insisted that no journalist has been denied permission. This media report said that foreign scribes have been disallowed from travelling to the North Eastern state.

The Tibetan spiritual leader will be undertaking a week-long visit to Arunachal Pradesh, which is being objected to by China as it lays claim over the territory.

The sources said 14 Delhi-based foreign journalists and five others based abroad have sought permission to travel to Arunachal Pradesh to cover the visit and these are being processed by the Ministry of External Affairs.