Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 4: China has taken strong exception to union minister Kiren Rijiju’s recent remarks on the Dalai Lama's reincarnation, urging India to act with caution on Tibet-related matters to prevent any strain in bilateral ties. The reaction follows Rijiju’s assertion that only the Dalai Lama and his institution hold the authority to determine his successor a position that directly challenges China’s longstanding stance.

Speaking ahead of his visit to Dharamshala for the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday celebrations, Rijiju had said, “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.” The Union Minister of Minority Affairs, himself a practising Buddhist, emphasized that followers of Tibetan Buddhism deeply believe in this spiritual autonomy.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry, however, responded with a sharp rebuke. Spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated Beijing’s claim that the reincarnation process of both the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama must adhere to “rigorous religious rituals and historical conventions,” including approval by the central government through the traditional "golden urn" method. Mao also accused the Dalai Lama of being part of an “anti-China separatist” campaign and reminded India of its earlier commitments regarding Tibet (Xizang).

In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs distanced itself from Rijiju's personal views. “The Government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion,” the MEA said, reaffirming India’s longstanding commitment to religious freedom.

The 14th Dalai Lama, who has lived in India since fleeing Chinese rule in 1959, had recently reiterated that his reincarnation would be decided by the Gaden Phodrang Trust, and hinted that his successor could be born outside China.

Rijiju, along with Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, is representing the Indian government at the Dalai Lama’s birthday celebrations in Dharamshala this Sunday.

China’s protest comes amid tentative efforts to improve India-China relations, which had soured following the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020. The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for Indian pilgrims and a series of high-level meetings — including the Modi-Xi meeting at the BRICS summit in Kazan last year — are seen as cautious steps towards normalization.