British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has met the Dalai Lama and promised to work to encourage reconciliation between China and the people of Tibet.
Downing Street described the 30-minute meeting behind closed doors at Lambeth Palace as "warm and constructive" and said that Mr Brown sought the views of the Dalai Lama "as a spiritual leader", as well as discussing human rights in Tibet and the aftermath of the Chinese earthquake.
The Dalai Lama said he was not concerned at the choice of venue
Mr Brown has been accused of "kow-towing" to China because of his decision to meet the Dalai Lama at the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, rather than in the political setting of 10 Downing Street.
But yesterday the Dalai Lama himself played down the row, when he appeared before a House of Commons committee to give evidence about human rights in his homeland, which has been ruled by Beijing since 1951.
Insisting that he was not concerned about the Prime Minister's choice of venue, he told the Foreign Affairs Committee: "For me - no differences. So long as meeting and talk - that is important. I always meet on the level we are human beings."
Following the meeting, a Downing Street spokesman said: "The meeting included a conversation on inter-faith issues with the PM asking the views of the Dalai Lama as a spiritual leader.
"A range of other issues were discussed, including the importance of the dialogue between the Dalai Lama's representatives and the Chinese authorities and the PM's strong commitment to the human rights of the Tibetan people.
"The PM expressed his determination to work with both sides to encourage reconciliation. They also discussed the aftermath of the earthquake in Sichuan and the steps being taken by the UK to assist the people of western China."
Yesterday the Dalai Lama suggested that the UK should do more to help the people of Tibet. Asked if Britain was doing enough, he told the Foreign Affairs Committee: "I think not enough."
PA