China Objects To Rijiju’s Dalai Lama Remarks, Says India Should Honour Commitments On Tibet

China has objected to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's remarks that the Dalai Lama alone should decide his reincarnation, urging India to honour its commitments on Tibet and stay clear of “anti-China separatist” positions.

On Thursday (3 July), Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Dalai Lama and the organisation he has set up have the authority to identify his successor, challenging China’s long-standing stance.

In reply, Beijing urged India to act carefully to avoid damaging the ongoing improvement in bilateral ties.

However, contradicting Rijiju's stand, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has 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, NDTV reported.

Responding to Rijiju's remarks, 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 (Tibet) related issues".

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.

China claims historical authority to approve the Dalai Lama’s successor, citing imperial-era precedents.

"No one has the right to interfere or decide who the successor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be. Only he or his institution has the authority to make that decision. His followers believe that deeply," Rijiju said ahead of his visit to Dharamshala in Himachal for Dalai Lama's 90th birthday on Sunday.

Rijiju, a practising Buddhist, and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, a fellow Union minister, are representing the Government of India at the birthday celebrations.

Mao reiterated China's stand that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, the second-high priest of Tibetan Buddhism, has to comply with rigorous religious rituals and historical conventions in line with domestic search, lots drawn from a 'golden urn' and the central government's approval.

She stated that the current Dalai Lama was approved using this same process and emphasised that any future reincarnation must align with historical conventions, rituals, and Chinese law.

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.

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