India Says It Won’t Take Position On Dalai Lama’s Succession
India Says It Won’t Take Position On Dalai Lama’s Succession
New Delhi/Dharamshala: In its first official reaction to the Dalai Lama’s succession plan, India on Friday clarified that it will not take any position on the matter, calling it an issue of faith and religious practice.
“The Government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. It added that India has always upheld freedom of religion for all and will continue to do so.
China Reacts Strongly to Rijiju’s Statement
The MEA’s remarks came shortly after China raised objections to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju’s comment supporting the Dalai Lama’s succession process. Rijiju had said that the decision on the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation rests solely with the spiritual leader and the established Tibetan institution.
Responding sharply, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said India should recognize what Beijing calls the “anti-China separatist nature” of the 14th Dalai Lama. She urged India to avoid interference in China’s internal affairs and warned that such actions could impact bilateral ties.
Dalai Lama’s Reincarnation Plan and India’s Role
Earlier this week, the Dalai Lama reaffirmed that his institution will continue and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust—set up by his office in 2015—would have the authority to recognize his future reincarnation. However, China rejected this plan, insisting that any successor must have Beijing’s approval.
Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh are attending the Tibetan spiritual leader’s 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamshala on July 6, a move seen as New Delhi’s subtle gesture of support for the Tibetan cause. Rijiju, a practising Buddhist, has been vocal in acknowledging the Dalai Lama’s global spiritual influence.
