Dharamsala, Nov 6: A top United States official on Friday maintained that the exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama was free to go anywhere as a religious figure, according to a media report.

"The Dalai Lama is a religious leader and he, of course, can travel to carry out that role," PTI quoted US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero, as saying in New Delhi.

Otero was appointed as US government's new Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues in October, a role in which she is expected to promote dialogue between China and representatives of the Dalai Lama.

"He (Dalai Lama) is visiting a monastery, a holy place. And from our perspective, this is one of the roles that he plays," she said when asked about her reaction to China's protests over the Tibetan leader's visit to Tawang from Sunday.

Speaking about US President Barack Obama's scheduled visit China later this month, Otero said that Tibet would certainly be one of the issues that will be discussed with the Chinese leaders.

"One could sense that this issue (Tibet) could be under consideration in some of those meetings with China," she said when asked if Tibet issues would be taken up during Obama's impending visit.

"But again, I cannot absolutely confirm how it is or what it is, but there is no doubt that this is an issue that we have. I certainly have been addressing it. I think that probably something ill emerge," Otero said.

"Tibet is very much symbolised by Dalai Lama. He is a person highly revered in the US and highly regarded as a religious leader. President Obama has a lot of respect and consideration for the Dalai Lama," she added.

"The meeting between President Obama and the Dalai Lama will take place later in this year, which the latter accepted with full interest. No dates are established right now," Otero said.

China has strongly opposed the exiled Tibetan leader's visit to Arunchal Pradesh beginning Sunday.

Rejecting Beijing's objections to the Tibetan leader's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, Indian leaders have said, “Dalai Lama is free to visit anywhere in India”.

The Indian government, however, on Thursday reportedly refused to allow foreign journalists to cover the Dalai Lama's visit to the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.