India, July 7 -- China on Monday said it protested to India over Prime Minister Narendra Modi sending greetings to the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday and the attendance of a Union minister at the celebrations.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the 14th Dalai Lama is in political exile in India and accused him of engaging in "anti-China separatist activities" for a long time and seeking to separate Xizang from Chinese control.

Ning said the position of China on Tibet-related issues is consistent and clear.

"The position of the Chinese government on Xizang-related issues is consistent and clear. As is widely known, the 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile who has long engaged in anti-China separatist activities and see...