British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Friday held talks with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who raised the issue of human rights violation in Tibet and the recent unrest in his Himalayan homeland.
Brown met Dalai despite protests from China and discussed many issues pertaining to Tibet. The closed door parleys between the two leaders was held at the Lambeth Palace, the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Anglican church.
Brown faced criticism for not inviting the monk to 10 Downing Street as both Brown's immediate predecessors, Tony Blair and John Major, met the Dalai Lama in the Prime Minister's official residence.
During the 25-minute meeting, Brown pledged Britain's full support towards the peaceful resolution of the Tibet issue.
The 72-year-old Tibetan leader also briefed Brown about the latest dialogue between his representatives and the Chinse government in the aftermath of the worst anti-Beijing unrest in three decades in Tibet.
Small groups of pro-China protesters demonstrated outside the venue of the meeting. The protesters included pro-China demonstrators and members of the Western Shugden Society, a Buddhist group that was irked by the decision of the Dalai Lama to outlaw their worship of a particular deity.
Speaking at the House of Commons Foreign Affairs committee on Thursday, the Dalai Lama played down the controversy over the venue of his meeting with the British PM.
Asked whether Britain is doing enough to support Tibet, he quipped "I think not enough."
On the other hand, Brown has said that location of the talks was not as important as the substance.
The spiritual leader is in the United Kingdom to hold talk on human rights and peace.
Addressing a gathering at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday, the Dalai Lama warned that China's 'ruthless suppression' in Tibet would have far reaching repercussions, including demands for independence. The Dalai Lama is pressing for spiritual autonomy in Tibet within the sovereignty of China.
He also had a meeting with Prince Charles on 'spiritual matters' at his Clarence House residence.
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