Dharamsala November 29 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama said he hoped to meet US President Barack Obama early next year. The Tibetan leader said he did not "insist" on meeting Obama earlier as the US was "slightly hesitant" to meet him before Obama's visit to Beijing.

His Holiness was speaking to some 142 Indian journalists who yesterday concluded a two-day seminar organized by the Indian Federation of Working Journalists at the TCV school.

“They (US authorities) were perhaps of the view that President Obama could take up the Tibet issue with the Chinese government in a more conducive environment if he did not meet me before his visit (to China),” His Holiness said.

The 1989 Nobel peace laureate said he was not a "separatist" as accused by Beijing. He said that his side is only seeking genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the framework of the People's Republic of China as enshrined in the Chinese constitution.

His Holiness left here yesterday for New Delhi. He is scheduled to begin his ten-day tour of Australia and New Zealand on December 1, 2009 during which he will confer a series of teachings and public talks including a lecture at the Closing Plenary of the Parliament of the World’s Religions.