China has strongly reacted to recent comments made by an Indian minister about the succession of the Dalai Lama. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it hopes India will fully understand Tibet-related matters and recognize the anti-separatist stance of the current 14th Dalai Lama. It also urged India not to use the Tibet issue to interfere in China’s internal affairs, reports Reuters.
China further warned that such actions could harm the progress of relations between the two countries.
The ministry also repeated its long-standing position that the so-called Tibetan government-in-exile is a separatist political group that spreads false information about Tibet and lacks any international recognition or credibility.
These remarks came after Indian Minister Kiren Rijiju made a rare public statement supporting the Dalai Lama’s right to choose his own successor. Rijiju said that only the Dalai Lama or his institution can decide who will succeed him. He added that the spiritual leader’s followers deeply respect this belief.
The Dalai Lama, now living in India after fleeing Tibet in 1959, recently said he will be reincarnated after his death and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the institution he established, will identify his successor. He has also mentioned that the next Dalai Lama may be born outside of China.
Minister Rijiju made these comments ahead of his visit to the Dalai Lama’s base in Dharamshala to attend the leader’s 90th birthday celebrations.
China Reiterates Control Over Dalai Lama’s Successor Process
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has stated that the selection of the next Dalai Lama must follow established procedures that are regulated by the Chinese government. This includes a traditional search and identification process within China, a ritual of drawing lots from a golden urn, and final approval by the central government.
China also emphasized that any reincarnation of the Dalai Lama or other high-ranking Tibetan Buddhist leaders must comply with Chinese laws, religious practices, and historical traditions. Despite this strict oversight, the government maintains it respects freedom of religious belief.
Beijing described the reincarnation of living Buddhas as a “unique tradition” of Tibetan Buddhism that must be carried out under official supervision.
