News Brief
PM Modi Greets Dalai Lama On 90th Birthday After China Warns India Over Minister Rijiju’s Reincarnation Remarks
The Dalai Lama. (File Photo) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (6 July) extended birthday wishes to Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, days after China urged New Delhi to stop using Tibetan issues to interfere in its "domestic affairs".
Calling Dalai Lama an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience, PM Modi said that the Tibetan spiritual leader's message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths.
"I join 1.4 billion Indians in extending our warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. He has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline. His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life," PM Modi said in a post on X.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, speaking at Dalai Lama's 90th birthday event, reiterated the government’s position on religious freedom.
"The Dalai Lama institution is purely religious and the Government of India believes there should be no interference in religious matters," he said.
A similar statement was issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after China objected to Rijiju's remarks that the Dalai Lama alone should decide his reincarnation.
The Dalai Lama on Wednesday (2 July) stated that his reincarnation would be identified solely by the Gaden Phodrang Trust. He previously said the person will be born outside China.
Claiming historical authority to approve the Dalai Lama’s successor, citing imperial-era precedents, China rejected the Tibetan leader's statement saying the new Dalai Lama must have the approval of "central government".
In reply, Beijing urged India to act carefully to avoid damaging the ongoing improvement in bilateral ties.
“We hope India can fully recognise the high sensitivity of issues related to Tibet, and clearly see the anti-China and separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday (4 July)
“India should honour its commitments on Tibet-related matters, exercise caution in word and deed, stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs, and avoid undermining the improvement and development of China-India relations," Ning added.
In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the Indian government "doesn't take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion".
"The government has always upheld freedom of religion for all in India and will continue to do so," the ministry said.
This comes as India-China ties had deteriorated following the deadly 2020 border clash, but are gradually improving after a Modi-Xi meeting at the BRICS Summit in Kazan last year and several follow-up engagements.
The recent resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for Indian pilgrims is seen as an initial step towards normalisation of relations between the two nations.
