India, May 19 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday asked China to immediately release Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, who was allegedly abducted by China 30 years ago.

"Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was only six years old when Chinese authorities abducted him 30 years ago. The Panchen Lama should be released immediately."

U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen, chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recently demanded that China immediately release Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama.

They made the demand on the 30th anniversary of Lama's alleged kidnapping.

The Panchen Lama is a key spiritual leader for Tibetans and a symbol of their struggle for religious freedom.

"For decade...