Karmapa Lama to visit US

India has allowed the Tibetan monk, the Karmapa Lama, who fled China and sought asylum in India eight years ago, to travel to the United States next month.

The move is certain to enrage Beijing, which has put pressure on India to stamp out any political activity by Tibetan exiles.

The Karmapa Lama is the only major monk reincarnate recognised by both the Dalai Lama and China. He has stayed in Dharmsala, the Dalai Lama's headquarters, since 2000. India has allowed him to travel within the country, but - until now - not abroad. This will be the Karmapa's first foreign visit.

The Tibetan monk, who is aged 22, has been staying at the Gyuto Tantric Monastery in Dharmsala since his escape from Tsurphu in Tibet in 2000.

India's decision to allow the Karmapa Lama to stay in the country led to strong protests from Beijing. According to the official website of the Karmapa Lama, he will travel to the US for a fortnight in May. It adds that the Indian government said in February that the request to allow the monk to travel abroad had been cleared. Terming his trip as "historic", the website says that it will be the Karmapa Lama's first visit to the West, and that he would travel to three US cities.

The spokesman for the Central Tibetan administration, Thubten Samphel, said the government in exile was "really appreciative" of India's decision to allow the visit.