NEW DELHI: Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, on Friday said that India did not have any position on the process of selecting the next Dalai Lama.
“We have seen reports about His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s statement on the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution. The Government of India does not 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,” Jaiswal said.
The current Dalai Lama recently said that the next Dalai Lama will be chosen by the India-based Gaden Phodrang Trust — a non-profit organisation he set up — and not by any other authority. This statement is seen as a message to China, which has claimed it will choose the next Dalai Lama.
The row over the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation has added to the ongoing tensions between India and China, which have remained strained since the 2020 border clashes and China’s growing ties with Pakistan.
China warns India
Earlier on Friday Beijing urged India to handle Tibet-related issues with caution, saying it could affect efforts to improve bilateral relations.
India should clearly recognise the anti-China separatist stance of the 14th Dalai Lama and respect its commitments on Tibet-related matters, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a media briefing. He further said that India should be cautious in its statements and actions, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs on Tibet-related matters, and avoid affecting the progress of China-India relations.
Mao’s remarks on improving ties refer to ongoing efforts by both India and China to restore normal relations, more than four years after the military standoff in Eastern Ladakh.
China raised objections after Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation should be decided according to his own wishes. On Thursday, Rijiju stated that the decision must be made by the recognised institution and the Dalai Lama himself — not by any outside party.
“We have seen reports about His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s statement on the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution. The Government of India does not 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,” Jaiswal said.
The current Dalai Lama recently said that the next Dalai Lama will be chosen by the India-based Gaden Phodrang Trust — a non-profit organisation he set up — and not by any other authority. This statement is seen as a message to China, which has claimed it will choose the next Dalai Lama.
The row over the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation has added to the ongoing tensions between India and China, which have remained strained since the 2020 border clashes and China’s growing ties with Pakistan.
China warns India
Earlier on Friday Beijing urged India to handle Tibet-related issues with caution, saying it could affect efforts to improve bilateral relations.
India should clearly recognise the anti-China separatist stance of the 14th Dalai Lama and respect its commitments on Tibet-related matters, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a media briefing. He further said that India should be cautious in its statements and actions, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs on Tibet-related matters, and avoid affecting the progress of China-India relations.
Mao’s remarks on improving ties refer to ongoing efforts by both India and China to restore normal relations, more than four years after the military standoff in Eastern Ladakh.
China raised objections after Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation should be decided according to his own wishes. On Thursday, Rijiju stated that the decision must be made by the recognised institution and the Dalai Lama himself — not by any outside party.
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