NEW DELHI, July 13 — The question of who succeeds the Dalai Lama has emerged once again as a source of friction between India and China, with Beijing calling it a “thorn” in bilateral relations days ahead of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s upcoming visit to China.
The sharp comment came from the Chinese embassy in New Delhi on Sunday as senior Indian leaders, including Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, recently attended celebrations for the 89th birthday of the Tibetan spiritual leader. During the event, the Dalai Lama reiterated that China had no say in his succession — a statement that drew firm reaction from Beijing.
“The reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama is inherently an internal affair of China,” Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy, posted on social media platform X. “The Xizang-related issue is a thorn in China-India relations and has become a burden for India. Playing the ‘Xizang card’ will definitely end up shooting oneself in the foot,” she added, using the official Chinese name for Tibet.
Without naming individuals, Yu criticized “improper remarks” made by Indian strategic commentators and officials regarding the reincarnation process. Over the past week, Indian analysts and Minister Rijiju have publicly supported the Dalai Lama’s assertion that only his spiritual institution can determine his successor.
“As a practicing Buddhist, I firmly believe only His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his institution can decide the reincarnation,” Rijiju said. He was seated next to the spiritual leader during the birthday ceremony.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs maintained a neutral stance, stating on July 4 — just ahead of the Dalai Lama’s birthday — that it does not comment on matters concerning religious faith and spiritual belief.
The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising in Tibet against Chinese rule, has lived in exile in Dharamshala ever since. India hosts around 70,000 Tibetans, along with the Tibetan government-in-exile, a long-standing point of contention with Beijing.
Despite the tension, diplomatic channels remain open. Jaishankar is scheduled to travel to the northern Chinese city of Tianjin on July 15 for a regional security meeting under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). He is expected to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit — marking one of the most high-level visits since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash that killed at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers.
Last month, India’s Defence Minister also met his Chinese counterpart in China, again during an SCO-related gathering — signaling a cautious thaw in ties even as old disputes like the future of Tibetan leadership continue to cast long shadows.
Read more: Dalai Lama’s Succession an Internal Matter, Says Chinese Envoy
