Around the decade of 1880s, a substantial number of native
Indians (usually pilgrims and priests visiting sacred places) were
permitted to enter Tibet. Ekai Kawaguchi recalled his experience
and understanding of the Tibetans and described them as inherently
hospitable people, by and large. Assessing the relationship existing
formerly between British India and Tibet, Kawaguchi acknowledged
that British India was closely connected with Tibet since long. In the
initial phase, Tibet’s attitude towards the British Indian Government
could not be termed resentful or hostile.