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China objected to India extending greetings to the Dalai Lama and accused the country of meddling in its internal affairs, after India affirmed its commitment to religious freedom.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama (File photo/PTI)
China on Monday said it has lodged representations to India, accusing the country of meddling with China’s internal affairs through Xizang (Tibet)-related issues. It also protested to India over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings to the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday and the attendance of Indian officials at the celebrations.
In a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that New Delhi should fully appreciate Beijing’s sensitivities on Tibet-related issues, adding that China’s position on such affairs is consistent.
The 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile, who for a long, has been engaged in separatist activities and attempted to separate Xizang from China under the cover of religion, the spokesperson alleged.
“Chinese government’s position on Xizang-related issues is consistent and clear. It is well known that the 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile who has long been engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion with the aim of breaking Xizang away from China,” she said.
“The Indian side should fully recognise the highly sensitive nature of Xizang-related issues, recognise the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama, adhere to its commitments on Xizang-related matters, be prudent in its words and deeds, and stop using Xizang-related issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs,” Ning said.
She also said China has already lodged representations to India regarding this matter.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had extended wishes to the Dalai Lama and said he has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline.
“His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life,” PM Modi posted on X.
Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Sikkim Minister Sonam Lama attended his birthday celebrations in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
Earlier, on Friday, China had objected to Rijiju’s statement that the incarnation of the Dalai Lama should follow his own wishes, urging India to act cautiously on Tibet-related issues to avoid affecting the improvement of bilateral relations.
India should be clear of the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama and honour its commitments on Xizang (Tibet) related issues, Mao told the media, reacting to Rijiju’s statement.
Later that day, India said it does not take any position on matters concerning faith and religion, two days after the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, unveiled a plan for choosing his successor.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian government has always upheld freedom of religion for all in the country and will continue to do so.
“We have seen reports relating to the statement made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama about the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution,” he said.
“The government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion,” Jaiswal added.
The spokesperson was responding to media queries on the statement by the Dalai Lama, which also ended speculation on whether the Tibetan spiritual leader will have a successor or not after his death.
The Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India since 1959.
Last Wednesday, the Dalai Lama said that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust will have the authority to recognise his future reincarnation.
Ning had reiterated China’s stand that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, the second-highest priest of Tibetan Buddhism, has to comply with rigorous religious rituals and historical conventions in line with domestic search, lots drawn from a ‘golden urn’ and the central government’s approval.
The present 14th Dalai Lama went through this procedure and was approved by the then central government, she had said.
The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must uphold those principles, follow religious rituals and historical conventions, Chinese law and regulations, she had said.
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Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
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