TOKYO -- Those seeking political symbolism for Asia's faultlines need look no further than the Dalai Lama's press conference here on Saturday -- complete with criticism of China, and delivered before he heads off for an extended stay in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Perched on India's frontier with China, Arunachal Pradesh's disputed border has been the focus of growing tensions between New Delhi and Beijing. On Friday, former National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra became the latest in a series of respected Indian commentators warning of possible Chinese military action. ...