Spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday said more and more people in China are beginning to realise that he is not seeking “independence” but meaningful autonomy and preservation of the Tibetan Buddhist culture.

"Some Chinese hardliners consider me a separatist and a reactionary and always criticise me. But now, more Chinese are realising that the Dalai Lama is not seeking independence and only wishing China [to give] meaningful autonomy [to Tibet] and [ensure] preservation of Tibetan Buddhist culture,” he told reporters in Jammu.