The visit of the Estonian delegation to the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists — the Dalai Lama — unexpectedly resulted in a serious controversy. The incident occurred in India and reportedly ended with strong reactions from the local community.
According to information shared by the Õhtuleht publication, the unpleasant situation occurred prior to the official meeting with the Dalai Lama. Delegation members were reportedly warned before the trip about specific strict rules, including refraining from consuming alcoholic beverages. However, not everyone in the group complied with these requirements.
Reports indicate that some members of the delegation — specifically representatives of the “Estonia 200” party Yuk-u-Kalle Raid, Marek Reinaas, and Kadri Napritson-Akune, an advisor at the Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs — failed to adhere to the established restrictions. It is noted that hiding this behavior was impossible, and it immediately drew attention from those around them.
The publication states that Indian pilgrims visiting the Dalai Lama openly reprimanded members of the delegation. It was reported that some individuals were intoxicated, while others attempted to de-escalate the situation by stopping the disruptive behavior. As a result, what was meant to be a spiritually significant meeting took on an awkward political and ethical dimension.
Subsequently, Kadri Napritson-Akune commented on the information circulating online, stating that she had personally covered the costs of the trip and did not view consuming beverages during personal downtime as an issue. However, this statement did little to soften the negative reaction from the public.
In summary, a visit requiring diplomatic prudence turned into a significant reputational blow for the Estonian delegation. This event once again underscored the importance of adhering to proper etiquette and local rules on the international stage.
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