The Dalai Lama has said the enduring harmony between India's many religions is proof to the world that different communities can live peacefully and solve problems together.

The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader has lived for decades in exile in the Indian city of Dharamsala.

He said yesterday: "India is the only country where all major world religions live together, not only in modern times, but over 1000 years."

He also stressed that there was no justification for fighting in the name of faith, calling it "unthinkable".