China Calls Dalai Lama Succession a ‘Thorn’ in Ties with India Amid Diplomatic Engagements
In a statement that underscores the deep-seated tensions between New Delhi and Beijing, the Chinese Embassy in India described the issue of the Dalai Lama’s succession as a “thorn” in bilateral relations. The remarks come just days ahead of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s scheduled visit to China — the first high-level diplomatic engagement between the two nations since the deadly border clashes of 2020.
The Chinese statement was issued following celebrations in India to mark the 90th birthday of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, an event attended by several senior Indian ministers. During the event, the Dalai Lama reiterated that China has no legitimate role in determining his reincarnation — a comment that predictably angered Beijing. China insists that any successor to the Dalai Lama must be approved by its government, citing historical precedent and state authority over Tibetan religious affairs.
Tibetans, on the other hand, maintain that reincarnation is a purely spiritual and religious process, one that cannot be influenced or dictated by any political entity. The Dalai Lama himself has consistently affirmed that only he and senior Tibetan monks can determine the process of his succession. His recent reaffirmation of this position has once again rekindled the contentious debate between the spiritual doctrine of reincarnation and China’s political stance on sovereignty over Tibet.
Since 1959, the Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet. Over the years, India has provided refuge to the Tibetan leader and approximately 70,000 Tibetan exiles, including the Tibetan government-in-exile, headquartered in Dharamshala. This arrangement has long been a point of friction between India and China, with Beijing viewing it as a challenge to its territorial integrity and authority over Tibet — referred to by the Chinese as “Xizang.”
Reacting to the recent remarks made in India regarding the Dalai Lama's succession, Chinese embassy spokesperson Yu Jing took to the social media platform X to express Beijing’s displeasure. While not naming any individual directly, Yu criticized certain strategic analysts and Indian academic voices for their “improper remarks” on the sensitive issue. She emphasized that professionals involved in foreign policy should be aware of the delicate nature of issues related to Xizang.
“The reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama is inherently an internal affair of China,” Yu stated, underscoring Beijing’s long-standing policy on the matter. She further remarked that the “Xizang issue” continues to be a thorn in the relationship between China and India, cautioning that any attempt by New Delhi to leverage the Tibetan card could backfire diplomatically.
“The issue has become a burden for India. Playing the ‘Xizang card’ will definitely end up shooting oneself in the foot,” she added, signaling a veiled warning to the Indian establishment.
Adding to the Chinese discomfort, Indian Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, who is also a practising Buddhist and hails from the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, was seen seated next to the Dalai Lama during the birthday celebrations. Rijiju voiced his support for the Tibetan leader’s right to determine his own successor, stating that only the Dalai Lama and his institution have the spiritual authority to make such decisions. His remarks were widely viewed as a diplomatic assertion of India’s position that respects religious freedom and spiritual independence.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a neutral statement on July 4, just days before the Dalai Lama's birthday, reiterating that the Indian government does not intervene in or comment on religious and faith-based matters.
Against this backdrop, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to travel to Tianjin, China, on July 15 to participate in a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting focused on regional security. During the visit, Jaishankar will also hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the multilateral event — marking the highest-level interaction between the two nations since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, which led to the death of soldiers on both sides and brought relations to a standstill.
The timing of the Chinese statement, just days before this visit, appears to be a strategic move by Beijing to highlight the Dalai Lama issue as a continuing irritant in bilateral ties, while also exerting pressure on New Delhi ahead of potential diplomatic negotiations.
Strategic observers note that while both countries have resumed diplomatic dialogue and made efforts to de-escalate tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), several points of contention remain unresolved — including border disengagement, military posturing, trade barriers, and China’s increasing influence in India’s neighborhood.
The Dalai Lama’s presence in India, especially at a time when he enters a politically and spiritually significant phase of his life, is likely to remain a focal point in the China-India dynamic. For India, the Tibetan leader is not only a globally respected figure of peace and non-violence but also a symbol of soft power and moral authority. For China, however, he represents a challenge to its claims over Tibet and a threat to its narrative of territorial control.
As Dr. Jaishankar prepares for his diplomatic visit, the Dalai Lama issue may not be on the official agenda, but it is expected to loom large over the broader tone of discussions. India’s calibrated stance — balancing religious freedoms at home with geopolitical sensitivities abroad — will be put to test once again.
In the evolving strategic landscape of South Asia and beyond, the spiritual legacy of one man continues to have geopolitical consequences. With Beijing asserting control and New Delhi walking a fine line, the succession of the Dalai Lama remains more than a religious issue — it is a flashpoint that reflects the larger tussle for influence and ideological space between two Asian giants.
Written by Defence Expert
Post a Comment