By Shaun Tandon

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iuDyOp1WjFVYmPZK3P57H7UBjEoQ

Leonard Leo, chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, a government advisory board, said he hoped the meeting with the Dalai Lama was "not just checking a political box."

Instead, Obama should seek advice on "how to think creatively" on the thorny issue of Tibet.

"Beijing's objections to Obama meeting the Dalai Lama should not deter the administration from trying to bridge China's plans to improve the living standards of Tibetans and Tibetan demands for religious freedom and protection of their unique culture and language," Leo said.