New Delhi, July 7 (UNI) India on Thursday slammed objections on Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on his 87th birthday a day ago. Responding to the criticism over the issue, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that it has been a consistent policy of the government of India to treat Dalai Lama as a guest in India. "The Prime Minister did speak with Dalai Lama last year also. It has been a consistent policy of our government to treat him as a guest in India. He has large followers in the country. His birthday is celebrated in India and abroad," Bagchi said at a press briefing. "Conveyed 87th birthday greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama over phone earlier today. We pray for his long life and good health," the Prime Minister said in a tweet on Wednesday. Earlier, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing that the Indian side should fully recognise the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama. He said India should stop using Tibet related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs. Zhao also criticised US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for greeting the Dalai Lama.