The Dalai Lama has sparked huge public uproar after video of him kissing a boy on the lips and then asking the boy to "suck my tongue" at an event in northern India went viral and drew wide criticism, with many netizens condemning the action as inappropriate. Experts said that sticking out one's tongue at others could be a traditional way to greet people in Xizang region (Tibet) of China, but asking people to suck one's tongue is by no means an accepted form of etiquette.

The incident, which reportedly took place in late February at a temple in Dharamshala. 

The Dalai Lama later apologized. In a statement Monday, the office for the Dalai Lama said he "regrets" the incident and he "wishes to apologize to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused." 

In a video that has gone viral, the boy approached a microphone at the event and asked the Dalai Lama: "Can I hug you?"

The Dalai Lama told the boy to come up to the platform where he was seated. Motioning to his cheek, he is heard saying "first here", after which the child kissed him and gave him a hug.

The Dalai Lama kept hold of the boy, saying "I think here also" and then planted a kiss on his lips. "And suck my tongue," the Dalai Lama then said, sticking out his tongue, forehead to forehead with the boy.

As the video spread across the internet, Dalai's act was widely condemned by many netizens, saying it "inappropriate", "scandalous" and "disgusting."