China has strongly objected to recent comments made by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju concerning the succession of the Dalai Lama, urging India to exercise caution on Tibet-related matters to avoid straining bilateral ties. Rijiju, ahead of his visit to Dharamshala for the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday celebrations, asserted that the authority to choose the next Dalai Lama lies solely with the Tibetan spiritual leader and the Gaden Phodrang Trust. He stressed that “no one else has the right to decide it except him and the conventions in place,” directly countering Beijing’s long-standing position that the Chinese government must approve the reincarnation.
Responding to Rijiju’s remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated China’s claim that the process must follow “rigorous religious rituals and historical conventions” under its supervision. She pointed to the golden urn ceremony and central government approval as essential elements of the succession. Mao further called on India to recognise what she termed the “anti-China separatist nature” of the Dalai Lama and to adhere to previous understandings on Tibet.
The Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since 1959, has consistently maintained that his reincarnation will be determined by the Gaden Phodrang Trust—possibly outside China—and has urged his followers to reject any successor selected by Beijing. India’s support for this stance signals a notable departure from China’s narrative and comes at a delicate moment in India-China relations, particularly in the wake of ongoing tensions since the 2020 border standoff.
The question of the Dalai Lama’s succession remains a sensitive and unresolved issue in the broader context of India-China diplomacy. By publicly backing the Dalai Lama’s autonomy over his reincarnation, India has sent a clear message of solidarity with the Tibetan cause, indirectly challenging China’s authority over Tibetan religious affairs.