Obama-Dalai Meeting on Feb 18: White House

Despite strong objections by China, US President Barack Obama will meet Tibetan spiritual leader and Nobel laureate the Dalai Lama at the White House on February 18, reported PTI.

“The President looks forward to an engaging and constructive dialogue,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was quoted as saying during his daily breifing.

Obama, however, will hold meeting with the Dalai Lama in the Map Room, not in the Oval Office, said report.

Gibbs said no US President had met with the Dalai Lama in the Oval Office, said report.

It may be mentioned that it will be first ever meeting between the Dalai Lama and Obama as the US President.

It should be noted that the White House has announce meeting between Obama and the Dalai Lama at a time when Beijing has already warned Washington that any meeting with the Dalai would jeopardizes their relationship.