Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, told a U.S. interviewer Thursday that he accepts U.S. President Barack Obama's decision not to meet with him during his five-day visit to the United States.
The exiled Buddhist leader said on CNN he understands that Mr. Obama will not meet him now "to avoid embarrassment to the Chinese president."But the Dalai Lama said he was content with Obama's policy so far, noting the president has communicated with him through private channels.
"I think that is better in some cases," the Dalai Lama said.
"I think more serious discussion is better than just a picture" of the two meeting, he said.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs has said Mr. Obama has plans to meet with the Dalai Lama later this year, after a U.S.-China summit in November.
Supporters of the Dalai Lama say they consider the lack of a presidential meeting a slight. But the Dalai Lama said Mr. Obama has communicated with him through private channels and that he is content with the president's policy so far.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and CNN.