Beijing on Friday strongly objected to Indian Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju’s remarks regarding the Dalai Lama’s right to determine his own reincarnation, urging New Delhi to act “cautiously” and avoid interfering in China’s internal affairs related to Tibet, which it refers to as “Xizang.”
Responding to Rijiju’s statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, “India should be clear of the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama and honour its commitments on Xizang-related issues.” Mao further warned that India’s actions and statements could adversely affect the “improvement and development” of China-India relations.
Rijiju, who is also a practising Buddhist, had asserted on Thursday that “the decision on the incarnation of the Dalai Lama will be taken by the established institution and the leader of Tibetan Buddhists himself, and no one else.”
India Reiterates Dalai Lama’s Autonomy Amid Chinese Resistance
Rijiju’s remarks marked the Indian government’s first reaction to the Dalai Lama’s recent statements about his succession. The spiritual leader had said that the institution of the Dalai Lama would continue and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust, which he founded in 2015, would have the authority to recognise his successor.
China has dismissed this succession plan, maintaining that any future Dalai Lama must be approved by Beijing through its historical procedure involving a domestic search, drawing lots from a “golden urn,” and the Chinese government’s final endorsement.
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Mao reiterated China’s stance, saying, “The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must follow religious rituals, historical conventions, and Chinese law and regulations.” She also referenced that the current 14th Dalai Lama had gone through such procedures under China’s supervision.
Rijiju and fellow Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh are representing the Indian government at the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday celebrations scheduled for July 6 in Dharamshala. The minister clarified that the event was “a religious function and has nothing to do with politics.”
Bilateral Ties in Focus Amid Efforts to Rebuild Relations
Mao’s comments also come at a time when India and China are attempting to thaw their strained relations following a prolonged standoff in Eastern Ladakh. Recent efforts at normalisation began after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit in Kazan last year.
One of the first gestures of reconciliation was the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for Indian pilgrims—a significant development in bilateral religious and cultural exchanges.
However, Beijing’s stern message on the Dalai Lama issue indicates that Tibet remains a highly sensitive matter and could continue to be a sticking point in India-China diplomacy.
