China Labels Dalai Lama Succession a “Thorn” in India Ties Amid 90th Birthday Celebrations

Beijing has escalated its rhetoric regarding the succession of the Dalai Lama, declaring it a "thorn" in its relations with India. This strong statement comes as the Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, recently celebrated his 90th birthday, reiterating his stance that China holds no authority in selecting his successor. The dispute highlights deep-seated geopolitical tensions ahead of Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar's first visit to China since the 2020 border clashes.

Chinese embassy spokesperson Yu Jing stated that the "Xizang-related issue," referring to Tibet, "is a thorn in China-India relations and has become a burden for India." She warned against "playing the 'Xizang card'," asserting that the Dalai Lama's reincarnation is "inherently an internal affair of China, brooking no interference of any external forces." This position underscores Beijing's long-standing claim over Tibet and its desire to control the future of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since 1959, firmly rejects China's claims of authority over his reincarnation. He has previously stated that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit institution he established, holds the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation. This view is largely supported by his followers and many international observers, who see Beijing's interference as a political maneuver rather than a religious one.

India's official position, articulated by its Ministry of External Affairs, is that it "does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion." However, Indian Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, a practicing Buddhist, attended the Dalai Lama's birthday celebrations and publicly affirmed that only the spiritual leader and his institution have the right to decide on his reincarnation. India hosts approximately 70,000 Tibetan refugees and the Tibetan government-in-exile, providing New Delhi with strategic leverage in its complex relationship with Beijing.

The succession issue is deeply intertwined with China's broader strategic interests in Tibet, which include control over vast water resources and significant lithium deposits. Beijing views Tibet as crucial for its regional dominance and as a buffer against India. The ongoing dispute over the Dalai Lama's future adds another layer of complexity to the already strained India-China relationship, which continues to navigate the aftermath of the deadly Galwan Valley clashes.