'Wish Him A Long And Healthy Life': PM Modi Greets Tibetan Spiritual Leader Dalai Lama On His 86th Birthday

In a significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (6 July) spoke with Dalai Lama on his 86th birthday and conveyed greetings to the Tibetan spiritual leader.

The development comes amid tense relation between India and China since the border clash between the armies of the two countries in June last year.

PM Modi took to Twitter to inform that he had a telephonic conversation with Dalai Lama.

"Spoke on phone to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to convey greetings on his 86th birthday," PM Modi said.

"We wish him a long and healthy life," PM Modi added.

According to a source quoted in Hindustan Times report, PM Modi spoke to the 14th Dalai Lama for nearly 20 minutes this morning and His Holiness, who is right now in Dharamshala, was delighted to receive the call.

Earlier today, in a message on his 86th birthday, Dalai Lama said, "Since I became a refugee and now settled in India, I have taken full advantage of India’s freedom and religious harmony. I want to assure you that for the rest of my life I am committed to reviving ancient Indian knowledge,".

"I really appreciate the Indian concept of secular values, not dependent on religion, such as honesty, karuna (compassion) and ahimsa (non-violence)," he added.