Obama speaks at National Prayer Breakfast, Dalai Lama in audience

An encounter between the two leaders would be the fourth meeting of the two leaders. And each encounter proves an exercise in diplomatic finesse, with the White House always stressing it does not support Tibetan independence from China while also expressing concerns over human rights in the disputed region.

USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, a Hindu, delivered the keynote address at the event last year.

CNN