Will prefer to die in free democracy of India, rather than among "artificial" Chinese officials: Dalai Lama

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Thursday said that he would prefer to breathe his last surrounded by the genuine and loving people of India, a free and open democracy, rather than among "artificial" Chinese officials.

He made these remarks during a two-day dialogue with youth leaders at his residence in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh at an interaction organised by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).

"I told former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, I will live another 15-20 years, there is no question. At the time when I die, I prefer dying in India. India is surrounded by people who show love, not artificial something. If I die surrounded by Chinese officials...too much artificial. I prefer dying in this country with free democracy," Dalai Lama said.

In the 1950s, when China illegally occupied Tibet, the Tibetan Spiritual leader had to take shelter in India. The Indian government's position on Dalai Lama has been clear and consistent. He is accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities in India.