Tibetan Prime Minister-in-Exile Samdhong Rinpoche was the chief guest of Gujarat Vidyapith’s 90th Foundation Day, which coincided — as per tradition — with the annual convocation ceremony.

Rinpoche, who arrived in the city on Saturday, had met activists, Gandhians, academicians and other guests over dinner that night.

In his interaction, he spoke about the Tibetan issue; how Tibetans still largely adapted and advocated non-violence; and how he felt the present Sino-Indian disagreement over Arunachal Pradesh seemed to have no resolution in the foreseeable future. India’s stand has, however, been ‘consistent’ and ‘good enough’, he said.

“China has gone on the offensive after the Beijing Olympics. A conflict between India and China can lead to instability in the world,” he said, adding that the Tibet issue is ‘minor’ compared to what can happen if such a conflict were to take place.

“Violence has not resolved any major state disagreements in the world, be it Israel or Sri Lanka,” he said.

Rinpoche said he did not sense a surging embrace of violence among the Tibetan youth.

“The Tibet Youth Congress and the Tibet Prajapati Mandal Party have become more aggressive, but both still adhere to non-violence very strictly,” he said.

Rinpoche said the number of Tibetans adopting violent means for seeking a resolution to the Tibet issue was “miniscule”.

As the chief guest of the Foundation Day and convocation ceremony, Rinpoche presided over the award of 480 degrees, post graduate degrees, M.Phils and doctorates. Eleven students were awarded doctorates at the ceremony.