BEIJING: Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh in March will damage India's relationship with China, Beijing warned on Friday.

The invitation to the "Dalai Lama for activity in the disputed areas between China and India will only damage peace and stability of the border areas as well as the bilateral relationship between China and India," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang.

The Dalai Lama has been invited to Arunachal Pradesh by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, whose coalition government includes the BJP. The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader last visited the border state in 2009.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet. Earlier this week, it objected furiously to American ambassador Richard Verma's trip to the Northeastern state, warning America not to "meddle" in the border dispute with India.

On Thursday, the Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup confirmed that the Dali Lama, "a guest of India," is free to visit the region.